Abstract: This invention relates to materials which absorb and dissipate energy and/or selectively allow energy to be transmitted, methods of making same, and articles comprising such materials. In particular, polymeric materials which include polyol(s) such as, but not limited to, polyethers, polyesters, polyether/esters, acrylics, and combinations thereof, plus other formulary components such as hydroxyl-terminated polybutadienes, polyisocyanates, silicone, preferably RTV (room temperature vulcanizing) silicone, and, preferably, suitable catalysts, preferably organometallic catalysts such as DBTDL (dibutyl tin dilaurate). Included are such polymeric materials which are resilient and which resist compression and compression set while exhibiting energy absorbing properties. Optionally, additives may be functionally or cosmetically added.

Abstract: An antireflective coating composition including a polyester and/or a polyurethane; and a crosslinker selected from the group consisting of tetraamidomethyl ethers.

Abstract: Functional optical materials for optical systems that are typically useful in optical waveguides, optical switching systems, optical modulators, optical computing systems and the like. Included are polymer systems and electrooptical chromophores. Polymers are thermoplastic and/or thermosetting polymers and are blended or co-polymerized with the electrooptic chromophore. The thermoplastic or thermosetting polymer selected from an acrylic/methacrylic, polyester, polyurethane, polyimide, polyamide, epoxy resin, or hybrid (organic-inorganic) or nanocomposite polyester polymer. The electrooptic chromophore is selected from a substituted aniline, substituted azobenzene, substituted stilbene, or substituted imine. Methods for improving adhesion promotion for the various novel materials are also provided.

Abstract: A broadband light source that is typically a single chip monolithic silicon integrated photonic planar light wave circuit employing an embedded glass channel waveguide system, wherein a part of the waveguide is coiled into a loop having a first and a second input/outputs, and comprises dopants selected from the rare earth elements and transition metals.

Abstract: Surfactants useful for enhancing the electrical conduction of electrodes attached to the surface of a patient. The surfactants are also useful in transport of materials in and out of the body of a patient (animal or human) and in the measurement of disease states. Typical surfactants particularly useful in the invention are broadly represented by protein/fatty acid based compounds. The protein/fatty acid compounds may be lipopolypeptides. In some embodiments the lipopolypeptides may be acyl peptides. Typical acyl peptides are Lamepon S™, MayTein C™ and MayTein CT™.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are biodegradable microparticle compositions, and methods for the generation of biodegradable and biocompatible microparticles that stabilize proteins and also control the kinetics of release of proteins over a period of several weeks to several months under physiological conditions.

Abstract: A polymer having a crosslinked structure made from a polyol and an isocyanate where the crosslinks contain urethane and/or ester bonds made from the reaction of a benzylic hydroxyl group and an isocyanate group.

Abstract: Apparatus, materials, and methods for removing ammonia from fluid using metal hydroxides (e.g. zinc hydroxide) and metal cation loaded media (e.g. zinc loaded ion exchange resins); the metal hydroxides and metal cation loaded media may be regenerated with a weak acid (pKa between 3 and 7). Alternatively, ammonia is removed from fluids by using H2SO4 and ZnSO4 and metal cation loaded media; the metal cation loaded media may be regenerated with H2SO4 and ZnSO4; the ammonia containing H2SO4 and H2SO4 may be concentrated as necessary to form (NH4)2SO4.ZnSO4.6H2O (ammonium zinc sulfate hexahydrate) crystals. These crystals are removed from the mother liquor and heated to temperatures exceeding 200° C. releasing NH3 and H2O vapor upon the decomposition of the crystals.

Abstract: A thermal treatment system for supplying thermally conditioned or purified water for human or animal consumption, industrial processes, environmental containment, or removal of foreign species. The water purifier includes a heat exchanger for exchanging heat between outgoing thermally conditioned or purified water and incoming makeup water; a water heater is connected to the heat exchanger so as to receive pre-heated incoming makeup water, where the water heater subsequently heats the incoming preheated makeup water to a set-point temperature in the case of thermally conditioned water and for purified water also holds the water for a period of time sufficient to inactivate selected organisms to a predetermined level. The heat exchanger has one or more treated water outlets for supplying thermally conditioned or purified water at selected temperatures.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for plasticizing polyvinyl chloride polymers where the plasticizers contain fatty acids derived from vegetable oils and the fatty acids are substantially fully esterified with an alcohol (monool or polyol), the fatty acids having unsaturated bonds that are substantially fully epoxidized, and wherein the fatty acids are added substantially randomly to one or more hydroxyl sites on the alcohol. The plasticizers may be added in amounts between about 10 to 230 pph of PVC resin.

Abstract: The present invention provides an object, which, in its outer surface contains a color-forming composition which comprises a solvent-absorbing material that is generally a polymer; a color-former compounded with the solvent-absorbing material, where the color-former functions as a metal chelating agent; and metal ions capable of forming a chelate complex with the color-former as the solvent-absorbing material absorbs a solvent, resulting in a detectable color change of the composition. The present invention also provides a method for indicating exposure of the color-forming composition to a solvent, wherein the color-forming composition is to be used on the outside surface of objects.

Abstract: Color-forming compositions comprising (i) a solvent absorbing material such as a polymer; (ii) a color-former or chelating agent compounded with the solvent absorbing material; and (iii) a source of metal ions, whereby the metal ions complex with the color former as the solvent absorbing material absorbs the solvent, resulting in a detectable color change of the solvent absorbing material. Both reversible and irreversible versions of these color-forming compositions are provided.

Abstract: A polymer having a crosslinked structure made from a polyol and an isocyanate where the crosslinks contain urethane and/or ester bonds made from the reaction of a benzylic hydroxyl group and an isocyanate group.

Abstract: Methods for direct reduction of ammonia from waste streams by the steps of reacting an aqueous ammonia containing waste stream with a solution of a strong acid and a metal salt, wherein the cation in said metal salt of said solution is selected from the group consisting of Ag, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pd, Zn; and wherein an ammonium-double salt is formed with said metal salt in an ammonia depleted waste stream; and treating said depleted waste stream to crystallize an ammonium-metal double salt therefrom.

Abstract: A formulation, method, and apparatus for treating neoplasms such as cancer by administering a pharmaceutically effective amount of highly toxic composition by inhalation, wherein the composition is a non-encapsulated antineoplastic drug.

Abstract: A formulation and method for treating neoplasms such as cancer by administering a pharmaceutically effective amount or carboplatin by inhalation.

Abstract: A manipulator apparatus, system and method for measuring analytes present in sample tubes.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for reading a luminescent bar code on a background surface whose reflectance may vary over the coded area, including a light source for providing light to scan, and to excite luminescence in the bar code or to reflect from the background surface of the coded area; a first detector responsive to reflected non-luminescent light for providing a first signal; a second detector responsive to luminescent light for providing a second signal; and memory having stored calibration indicia of reflectance and luminescence, the memory responsive to the first and second signals for providing an output signal substantially independent of background reflectance, and substantially free of bar code edge distortion.

Abstract: A training kit for training individuals to recognize one or more hazardous materials including a housing having dividing means within the housing dividing the housing into a plurality of compartments; each compartment having a set of container receiving portions; and container means in each of the container receiving portions of each of the compartments; indicia means associated with each compartment having identifying information, each container means in a compartment containing a simulant having one or more characteristics, the characteristics being perceptible to the individual; wherein the simulant mimics one or more characteristics of the hazardous material and the simulant is less hazardous than the hazardous material.

Abstract: An intumescent coating system and method therefor is disclosed for thermally protecting a substrate having a surface exposed to fire conditions. The coating system of the present invention is provided as having a having a first film layer which forms a rigid carbonific char foam having toughness and rigidity, and a second film layer which forms an insulative carbonific char foam having insulation properties. The two foam components may be separately provided in a laminate-type arrangement as, respectively, an inner coating layer coated and cured on the surface of the substrate to form an inner film layer, and an outer coating layer coated and cured on the inner film layer to form an outer film layer.