Abstract: This invention relates to a device for electrooptic modulation of an optical beam. The device is a laminate comprising a coherent film of a conjugated polymer having semi-conducting properties as the active component laminated with two or more layers of electrically conducting, insulating or semi-conducting materials. At least the active component in the laminate is capable of interacting with the optical beam when under the influence of an electric signal and thereby result in a modulated beam. Means are provided for (i) establishing electrical contact with one or more layers of the laminate so as to enable an electrical signal to be applied across the active component and (ii) detection of the extent of modulation of the modulated beam emerging from the active component layer.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel amorphous metal alloy composition which reversibly stores hydrogen and is useful as the hydrogen storage electrode in an energy storage device. The amorphous metal alloy is made up of at least three elements with at least one element of Ag, Hg, or Pt; at least one element of Pb, Cu, Cr, Mo, W, Ni, Al, Co, Fe, Zn, Cd, Ru or Mn: and at least one element of Ca, Mg, Ti, Zr, Hf, Nb, V or Ta.

Abstract: Graphite composite articles comprising a graphite structure formed from a porous graphite material and an impregnant selected from the group consisting of glass precursors and ceramic precursors, filling the pores and coating the surface of the structure. The present invention also provides a process for the manufacture of graphite composites comprising the steps of infiltrating a porous graphite structure with a material selected from the group consisting of glass precursors and ceramic precursors and subsequently converting the precursor to a glass or a ceramic respectively.

Abstract: Antimony-promoted bismuth cerium molybdate catalysts are promoted with additional elements.

Abstract: Polymeric affinity membranes comprise a precursor filtration membrane and a plurality of reaction sites provided on the surface of the membrane selective to binding a specific biological material. A process for the preparation of such affinity membranes includes the steps of providing a copolymer compatible with a water insoluble polymer matrix and having a plurality of hydroxyl groups, activating the hydroxyl groups and a compound selected from the group consisting of organic compounds reactive with a hydroxyl group in the presence of water miscible solvent to provide a derivatized copolymer containing active adducts, forming a solution of the derivatized copolymer and the polymer matrix to form a polymer blend solution, casting the polymer blend solution and, quenching the cast polymer blend solution in water.

Abstract: A method for detecting diamonds in locations which are not easily accessible comprises irradiating material suspected of containing diamonds by means adapted for access to the location, collecting the resultant scattered Raman radiation by means adapted for access to the location and filtering and sensing the radiation to produce a signal whenever radiation characteristic of diamonds is sensed whereby the absence or the presence of diamonds in the location is indicated.

Abstract: A slip or casting composition useful in molding or sheet casting comprising:a mixture of inorganic particulate material, an organic solvent and a dispersant for said particulate material having the structure set forth below: ##STR1## where R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3 are linear or branched hydrocarbon chains, where no more than one of the R Groups is CH.sub.3 and the remaining R groups are each at least 6 to 30 carbon atoms long;Y is selected from the group consisting of (CH.sub.2).sub.n where n=1 to 10 and ##STR2## where m=1 to 5; and X is selected from the group consisting of COO-, SO.sub.3 -, PO.sub.3 -.

Abstract: A process for recovering Platinum Group metals from material comprising one or more Platinum Group metals and one or more Group IA metals supported on carbon comprises heating at a temperature between 700.degree. C. and 1150.degree. C. in a stream of an inert gas or vacuum then in a stream of carbon dioxide.

Abstract: A method for preparing a catalyst suitable for oxidation of carbon monoxide comprises the steps of treating a high surface area carbon support with an aqueous solution of a stannic salt and a promoter, drying, reacting with hydrazine hydrate in a hydrocarbon, washing and drying. The catalyst may be used in breathing apparatus.

Abstract: A polymer blend comprises a high nitrile polymer and a compatible polyolefin functionalized with an unsaturated compound selected from the group consisting of unsaturated carboxylic acids, esters, anhydrides and imides. Such blends can be used to form films and membranes having improved thermal, mechanical and optical properties. The blend combines the low oxygen permeability of high nitrile polymers with the low water vapor permeability of the polyolefins and are, therefore, useful in the packaging industry. A method for forming blends of high nitrile polymers with polyolefins includes the step of functinalizing a polyolefin prepared from a monoolefin having from 2 to about 6 carbon atoms with an unsaturated compound selected from the group consisting of unsaturated carboxylic acids, esters, anhydrides and imides and blending from about 99 to 1 parts by weight of the functionalized polyolefin with from about 1 to 99 parts by weight of the high nitrile polymer.

Abstract: A novel catalyst composition which comprises alumina and platinum, is characterized in that the alumina carries internally and/or on its surface, gallium and a Group II metal. The catalyst composition is particularly useful in catalytic reforming of hydrocarbon feestocks.

Abstract: A method for preparing substrates for VLS fiber producing reactions and a method for preparing SiC fibers by the VLS process. The first method includes the steps of forming an alcohol sol containing a fiber growth promoter material precursor, applying the sol to at least one surface of the substrate and drying the sol. More particularly, the steps can include forming a sol of colloidal hydrous metal oxide particles in a liquid, the metal oxide being a fiber growth promoter material precursor and the liquid being capable of dissolving a salt of the metal and of wetting the substrate surface as a sol, applying the sol to at least one surface of the substrate and drying the sol.

Abstract: A method of electrodepositing a doped compound semiconductor film including tellurium and a metal selected from Group IIB of the Period Table of Elements by adding an effective concentration of dopant ions to the electrolyte bath. Cadmium telluride, mercury cadmium telluride and zinc cadmium telluride may be doped with copper, silver and gold. The conductivity type of the electrodeposited doped layers may be changed by a heat treatment. Thin film photovoltaic cells incorporating the doped layer to form a heterojunction with a semiconductor layer of the opposite conductivity type show substantial improvements in open circuit voltage, fill factor and efficiency over similar devices employing undoped electrodeposited layers.

Abstract: A high density planar array of substrate-supported, thin film diodes constituting photoresponsive semiconductor elements is placed between a document to be read and a light source for illuminating the document. The document is illuminated by the light source via windows in the array, reflected light from the document impinging on the photoresponsive elements constituted by the diodes which are electronically interrogated to provide a signal which is indicative of image information on the document. The light source directly illuminates small portions of each diode to establish a discharge or bias current that makes the array more sensitive and responsive. The high density diodes of the array can be formed in a manner that minimizes leakage current between adjacent diodes.

Abstract: A high temperature, preferably polycrystalline, ceramic fiber having a selectable diameter of between 1 and 200 microns. The fiber is stable in an inert atmosphere at a temperature above about 1700.degree. C. and is often stable even in air at a temperature above 1500.degree. C. The fiber comprises a sintered ceramic powder having a maximum particle size less than the diameter of the fiber and an average particle size less than 0.2 times the diameter of the fiber. The ceramic powder is also stable in an inert atmosphere at a temperature above about 1700.degree. C. At least 90% of the ceramic is selected from borides, nitrides, carbides, and silicides. The fiber is characterized by a smooth surface and is preferably out of round.The invention further comprises a textilable sinterable filament, comprising a flexible polymer matrix containing high temperature sinterable ceramic powder particles. The ceramic powder particles are selected from ceramic borides, nitrides, carbides, and silicides.

Abstract: A C-branched zwitterionic surfactant represented by the following formula is disclosed: ##STR1## wherein x and y are numbers, x is less than or equal to y+1, and the sum of x+y in the range of about 7 to about 19, with the provisos that: (1) when the sum of x+y is in the range of about 7 to about 13, x/y is in the range of about 0.3 to about 1.2; and (2) when the sum of x+y is in the range of about 14 to about 19, x/y is in the range of about 0.1 to about 0.7. An enhanced oil recovery method using the foregoing surfactants is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of assessing the color type of diamonds by irradiating the diamonds with laser radiation of different wavelengths and generating a numerical value characteristic of the color type of the diamond based on the measured intensities of the resultant scattered Raman radiation for two or more different incident radiation wavelengths. The color type of the diamond may be determined by comparing derived relative intensities of each diamond with those of reference diamonds having been determined by standard subjective assessment. The method may also be used to sort diamonds according to their color type.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for the preparation of selective acetylene hydrogenation catalysts. More specifically, this invention relates to a pretreatment method for supported and unsupported Group VIII metal catalysts and the use thereof for the conversion of an acetylene-, ethylene- and hydrogen-containing feedstream to gasoline range hydrocarbons.

Abstract: A T-headed stirrup for anchoring reinforcing bars in concrete, to restrain lateral buckling of the reinforcing bars under severe forces. The stirrup, comprising a shaft with a T-shaped crosspiece at each end, is typically inserted between pairs of reinforcing bars. The crosspiece contacts the reinforcing bar and is shaped to restrain lateral movement of the reinforcing bar.

Abstract: Novel materials having the ability to reversibly store hydrogen are amorphous metal alloys of the formulaA.sub.a M.sub.b M'.sub.cwhereinA is at least one metal selected from the group consisting of Ag, Au, Hg, Pd and Pt;M is at least one metal selected from the group consisting of Pb, Ru, Cu, Cr, Mo, Si, W, Ni, Al, Sn, Co, Fe, Zn, Cd, Ga and Mn; andM' is at least one metal selected from the group consisting of Ca, Mg, Ti, Y, Zr, Hf, Nb, V, Ta and the rare earths; andwhereina ranges from greater than zero to about 0.80;b ranges from zero to about 0.70; andc ranges from about 0.08 to about 0.95;characterized in that (1) a substantial portion of A is disposed on the surface of said material and/or (2) that said material functions as an active surface layer for adsorbing/desorbing hydrogen in conjunction with a bulk storage material comprising a reversible hydrogen storage material.