Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods for controlling the growth of algae, especially nuisance algae, in recirculating water systems. The water systems encompass industrial and recreational applications. The compounds for use in the compositions and methods of the invention possess anti-algal activity and are selected from a herbicide and an agricultural fungicide or a combination thereof.

Abstract: The disclosed invention relates to a composite material for use in recovery of radionuclides, metals, and halogenated hydrocarbons from aqueous media. The material has very high surface area, and includes nanometer sized, zero-valent iron on a support. The material can be used to remediate aqueous media which have contaminants such as radionuclides, metals and halogenated hydrocarbons from aqueous media.

Abstract: The disclosed invention relates to Bi2O3—ZnO—Ta2O5 dielectric compounds and compositions, and to their manufacture. The compounds of the invention have outstanding K, Q, TCF, and TCC. Examples of these properties include a K of between 58 and 80, a low dielectric loss (tan &dgr;<0.003), and a TCC<30 ppm/° C. Ceramic compositions produced include those represented by Bi2(ZnTa2)xO6x+3 where 0.57≦x≦1.0, Bi2(ZnTay)2/3O((5y+11)/3) where 1.0≦y≦3.0, as well as by Bi2(ZnTay)2/3O((5y+11)/3) where 1.0≦y≦3.0 with the proviso that y is not=2.0. Solid solutions of compounds defined by the formula r(Bi2(Zn1/3Ta2/3)2O7)-(1−r)(Bi3/2Zn2/3)(Zn1/2Ta3/2)O7)) where 0<r<1 also are produced.

Abstract: The disclosed invention relates to an oven for cooking foodstuffs such as pizza by infrared radiation. The oven includes nichrome-quartz heating elements which are governed by a pulse type controller. The pulse type controller cause the heating elements to generate infrared radiation over selected time periods to efficiently cook a foodstuff.

Abstract: The disclosed invention relates to PMN compounds, powders and products thereof, especially to PMN-PT compounds, powders and products which have the perovskite structure. The PMN-PT compounds are characterized by the formula (1−x)Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3−xPbTiO3 where x is about 0.0 to about 0.95, preferably x is about 0.0 to about 0.40. The compounds are made by sintering a precursor powder of the compound. PMN-PT products produced from the precursor powders have much greater densities than products produced from PMN-PT starting powder. The invention also relates to textured PMN-PT produced from the precursor powders.

Abstract: The process is characterized by the use of catalyst systems consisting of a single metallocene catalyst activated with mixtures of at least 2 co-catalysts. The co-catalysts are aluminium alkyls, aluminoxanes or boron compounds. Different active centers are produced in the catalyst through the use of these mixed co-catalyst systems, each having different rates of initiation and completion of the polymerization reaction, which give rise to polyolefins with different molecular weights, resulting in products with broad bimodal or multimodal molecular weight distributions and the incorporation of co-monomer can be controlled by appropriate selection of the metallocene and use of combinations of different types of co-catalysts, as well as by varying the reactor pressure, the reaction temperature and the molar ratios between the various components of the catalyst system.

Abstract: Setting of gems is accomplished by applying torque to flanges which extend from prongs that hold the gem in the setting. The flanges form integral lever extensions to provide a secure handle by which a force or torque can be applied without the risk of slipping and damaging the setting or gemstone. Notches or bendable sections of the prongs are located at grip locations and when the prongs engage the gemstone, the prong bends about the bendable section to secure the gem. To set a gem, the worker applies a clamping tool to individual ones of the levers, which results in the prong bending inward and gently twisting over the gemstone in a controlled manner. This allows the worker to control the pressure applied to the stone by the prong, thus limiting breakage of the gem. The levers are then removed from each prong by cutting and/or grinding, and the surface of each prong is then polished.

Abstract: The disclosed invention relates to unsupported, anisotropically shaped, cubic SrTiO3 single crystal particles and their method of manufacture. The particles have a rectangular face and measure about 10-40 micron in edge length, and about 2-5 micron in thickness. The anisotropically shaped, cubic SrTiO3 single crystal particles are made by reacting tabular Sr3Ti2O7 with TiO2 in the presence of a molten alkali salt.

Abstract: Phenothiazine and its derivatives products are provided with a minimal level of fines or dust as a result of forming such products in prill form. The prills are generally spherical. Also provided is a method for reducing the level of powder in phenothiazine product which includes forming the phenothiazine product in prill form such that the prills have a generally spherical shape. The prill product achieves improved handling, flowability and dissolution times, while minimizing the generation of phenothiazine fines and dust, and the problems associated with worker exposure, irritation and sensitization to such fines and dust.

Abstract: The performance of electrochemical energy devices such as batteries, fuel cells, capacitors and sensors is enhanced by the use of electrically conducting ceramic materials in the form of fibers, powder, chips and substrates.

Abstract: A wildlife conditioning and suppression system conditions wildlife to avoid a restricted area. The system relies on backing up predetermined and repeatable warning stimuli with real enforcement directed against the wildlife. In a preferred embodiment, a warning zone is defined around a protected area and predetermined sensory warning stimuli are produced each time wildlife enters the warning zone. If the wildlife enters the protected area, physical enforcement by means of a water cannon is used to eject the wildlife from the area. The wildlife is thereby conditioned to avoid the area by means of repeatable warning stimuli backed up with real enforcement.

Abstract: Transition metal NZP type compounds are synthesized. Examples of these compounds include MnZr4(PO4)6, FeZr4(PO4)6, CoZr4(PO4)6, NiZr4(PO4)6, and CuZr4(PO4)6. These compounds are synthesized by the Xerogel process. These transition metal NZP type compounds can be used as colorants in applications such as ceramic glazes where high thermal stability of the colorant is important.

Abstract: Phenothiazine and its derivatives products are provided with a minimal level of fines or dust as a result of forming such products in prill form. The prills are generally spherical. Also provided is a method for reducing the level of powder in phenothiazine product which includes forming the phenothiazine product in prill form such that the prills have a generally spherical shape. The prill product achieves improved handling, flowability and dissolution times, while minimizing the generation of phenothiazine fines and dust, and the problems associated with worker exposure, irritation and sensitization to such fines and dust.

Abstract: A movable ladder support device, and a ladder which includes that support device. The support device includes a rotatable member such as a wheel housed within the U-shaped section of the support device. The support device is attached to the rail of a ladder. The support device enables the ladder to be vertically repositioned against the surface of an inclined wall without the need to first remove the ladder from the surface.

Abstract: A process for rapidly forming a ceramic shell mold on an expendable pattern is disclosed. The process entails use of refractory slurries which include a large particle size colloidal silica sol binder. The colloidal silica sol binder has an average particle size of about 40 nanometers, i.e., about 3-4 times larger than colloidal silica sol binders heretofore employed in manufacture of ceramic shell molds. The use of the large particle sols yields unfired ceramic shell molds which have about 40% to about 70% greater unfired strengths compared to ceramic shells made with prior art small particle size silica sols. Prime coats and refractory back-up coats which use the large particle size sol dry about 30% to about 40% faster than prime coats and back up coats which employ the smaller particle size silica sols of the prior art.

Abstract: The disclosed invention relates to a composite material for use in recovery of radionuclides, metals, and halogenated hydrocarbons from aqueous media. The material has very high surface area, and includes nanometer sized, zero-valent iron on a support. The material can be used to remediate aqueous media which have contaminants such as radionuclides, metals and halogenated hydrocarbons from aqueous media.

Abstract: A method of vacuum forming of aqueous, fibrous slurries and products produced thereby are disclosed. The method entails forming an aqueous slurry of ceramic fiber, cationic starch and silica sol. The silica has, based on total weight of the sol, about 50% silica having a particle size range of from about 7 nm to about 200 nm and a specific surface area of about 100 m2/gm to about 10 m2/gm. The slurry is passed through a porous screen under a vacuum pressure deposit the solids content onto the screen to produce high strength products.

Abstract: The invention concerns a lead-acid battery having all the surfaces of all the electrodes under high pressure and their circumferences kept unchanged by support from mechanically rigid cell walls such that only the thickness of the electrodes is allowed to expand under strong resilient load during the discharge and return during charge. The pressure is 0.49-10.sup.5 -9.81-10.sup.5 Pa (0.5-10 kp/cm.sup.2), and may be obtained by separators or by springs applied to the outer sides of the cell container and may be changed for increased or decreased capacity. The construction of the tubular battery design, prevents material losses due to sludging and a long working life is obtained, since also a totally corroded lead conductor under high pressure may function as a current conductor. The rigid outer containers also allow high liquid pressure and thus a high oxygen solubility and oxygen recombination for sealed cells.

Abstract: A process and device are provided for achieving cascade flow to achieve rapid separations of target components from fluid mixtures is provided. The devices of the invention have a cascading flow channel. The separation processes of the invention may include singly or in combination, the step of adjusting the total voids volume in all elements employed in the devices of the invention to be equal to or less than 6% of the total volume of fluid that is to be processed. A single separation process or a combination of separation processes may be used where the fluid mixture is whole blood, whole blood that is diluted or is in some other way treated, concentrated, divided into two or more streams, or augmented with blood or blood components, cellular materials such as proteins, antibodies, enzymes and fractions thereof, and nuclear materials such as DNA, RNA and their fragments.

Abstract: A process for rapidly forming a ceramic shell mold on an expendable pattern is disclosed. The process entails use of refractory slurries which include a large particle size colloidal silica sol binder. The colloidal silica sol binder has an average particle size of about 40 nanometers, i.e., about 3-4 times larger than colloidal silica sol binders heretofore employed in manufacture of ceramic shell molds. The use of the large particle sols yields unfired ceramic shell molds which have about 40% to about 70% greater unfired strengths compared to ceramic shells made with prior art small particle size silica sols. Prime coats and refractory back-up coats which use the large particle size sol dry about 30% to about 40% faster than prime coats and back up coats which employ the smaller particle size silica sols of the prior art.