Abstract: The invention discloses temporary medical devices such as stent implants which can be disintegrated in-vivo upon demand by release of an agent held trapped within the device. The device is fabricated from a matrix polymer material which is essentially insoluble in body fluids and a disintegration agent which acts to initiate decomposition of the matrix polymer when contacted therewith. The disintegration agent is trapped within and chemically isolated from the matrix polymer such as by encapsulation, and is releasable within the matrix polymer upon contact of the device with a releasing agent which liberates the encapsulated disintegration agent.

Abstract: The present invention provides medical devices comprised of ionically crosslinked polymer, especially, stents, catheter or cannula components, plugs, and constrictors. The medical devices of the present invention are prepared by treatment of ionically crosslinkable polymer compositions with crosslinking ion compositions to provide ionically crosslinked materials.An important aspect of the present invention is that these medical devices can be disintegrated in-vivo at a desired time through the exposure of the medical device to a chemical trigger which generally is described as an agent that acts to displace the crosslinking ion in the ionically crosslinked material through binding or simple replacement with a non-crosslinking ion.

Abstract: Method of enhancing the healing of human wounds by controlling the microenvironment of the wound by sequentially applying to the wound dressings having moisture and oxygen permeabilities appropriate for the healing phases of the wound.

Abstract: An improved non-pyrolytic disposal process for nitrocellulose-based explosives and rocket propellants is disclosed. Explosive and propellant particles are digested by contact of the particles with an aqueous solution containing from about 5 to 20% by weight caustic (NaOH) maintained at a temperature of about 50.degree. C. to 100.degree. C. and under conditions of agitation until digestion is essentially complete. The resulting by product contains a mixture of depleted caustic and a water soluble sludge which can be disposed of or further processed. The process minimizes environmental concerns brought about by the open burning of high energy materials.

Abstract: An improved crosslinked double base propellant composition is provided which has an improved binder system. The binder system is based on nitrocellulose (NC) having an intrinsic viscosity of from about 0.4 dl./gram to about 1.5 dl./gram and a polyester polyol or polyether polyol (polyol), in which the weight ratio of NC/polyol is from about 0.03/1 to about 0.8/1. The binder crosslinking agents are diisocyanates, and the ratio of NCO groups of the diisocyanates to combined OH groups of nitrocellulose and polyol is from about 0.7/1 to 1.2/1. Energetic plasticizer such as nitroglycerin comprises from about 68% to about 82% by weight of the binder. The binder contains a stabilizer and is capable of high solids loading, i.e., 70% to 77% solids.

Abstract: Gel and solid rocket propellant is physically and chemically ablated from motors using a liquid or gaseous reagent such as anhydrous ammonia propelled by compressed nitrogen gas at 2000 psig or higher. Nitroglycerine and nitrocellulose are nitrate esters preferentially ablated from class 1.1 rocket propellant by anhydrous ammonia at a temperature of 70.degree. F. or higher.

Abstract: The present invention provides in a particular embodiment an improvement in the process for producing phenol by the acid-catalyzed cleavage of cumene hydroperoxide (CHP). The reactant stream fed to the cleavage reactor also includes the contaminant by-product dimethyl benzyl alcohol (DMBA) formed during the direct oxidation of cumene to CHP. This contaminant DMBA further reacts in the cleavage reactor to reduce the yield of phenol and produce undesirable and unreclaimable by-products. The improvement provided herein comprises performing the cleavage reaction at a reduced residence time of generally from one-half to five minutes, whereby the formation of .alpha.-methyl styrene from DMBA is promoted and the formation of the undesirable and unreclaimable by-products is reduced; .alpha.-methyl styrene is not only a useful by-product, but can be recycled and hydrogenated to the cumene starting material.

Abstract: Liquid crystal coupled dichroic dye compositions comprising a dichroic dye moiety coupled to one or two liquid crystal moieties by a flexible spacer group having at least four atoms linked in a linear fashion; guest-host compositions comprising such liquid crystal coupled dichroic dye compositions dissolved in liquid crystal hosts and devices comprising such guest-host compositions; and liquid crystal coupled aromatic amines useful for forming the liquid crystal coupled dichroic dyes, are disclosed.

Abstract: Stabilizers for isocyanate cross-linked composite modified double base propellants are provided. These stabilizers have good solubilities in the propellant matrices and have good stabilization properties. The stabilizers of this invention are compounds of the formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 is selected from the group consisting of: ##STR2## wherein R.sub.2 is a straight or branched chain alkene radical having 1 to 3 carbon atoms, R.sub.3 is a straight or branched chain alkyl radical having 1 to 3 carbon atoms, n is an integer from 1-3, m is an integer from 1-3, and y is an integer from 1-3.

Abstract: The present invention provides in a particular embodiment an improvement in the process for producing phenol by the acid-catalyzed cleavage of cumene hydroperoxide (CHP). The reactant stream fed to the cleavage reactor also includes the contaminant by-product dimethyl benzyl alcohol (DMBA) formed during the direct oxidation of cumene to CHP. This contaminant DMBA further reacts in the cleavage reactor to reduce the yield of phenol and produce undesirable and unreclaimable by-products. The improvement provided herein comprises performing the cleavage reaction at a reduced residence time of generally from one-half to five minutes, whereby the formation of .alpha.-methyl styrene from DMBA is promoted and the formation of the undesirable and unreclaimable by-products is reduced; .alpha.-methyl styrene is not only a useful by-product, but can be recycled and hydrogenated to the cumene starting material.

Abstract: A solid propellant composition comprising an oxidizer, a fuel and a binder, wherein the binder comprises, based on the weight of the total propellant composition:(a) from about 3 to about 12% of a non-crystalline polyether having a molecular weight of from about 1000 to about 9,000, and(b) from about 1 to about 12% of an inert plasticizer. Propellants of this invention can be used, for example, in ground-launched interceptors, air launched tactical motors, and space boosters.

Abstract: A multi-layered cylindrical propellant casing comprising an inner propellant-holding layer of polymer layer(s) obtained by lay up, blow molding, or similar fabrication of an energetic or nonenergetic type layer, coated with (an) intermediate adhesive layer(s) of an energetic or non-energetic type, and covered by an outer, concentrically arranged, coat or layer having a higher resistance, than said inner layer, to circumferential expansion; plus a corresponding method for increasing the amount of fragmentation and combustion rate of such propellant casing when exposed to a firing sequence.

Abstract: This invention relates to a two component catalyst system for the polymerization of metathesis polymerizable cycloolefins, comprising (a) a tungsten compound of the formula WOX.sub.4-x (OAr).sub.x where X is chlorine, bromine or fluorine, Ar is a hindered phenyl ring having 1-5 specified substituents and x = 1, 2 or 3; and (b) an activator compound.Among the preferred molecules or groups that are substituted on the phenyl ring of the tungsten compound are phenyl, chlorine, bromine, methoxy and isopropyl groups. Ar can also represent a multi-substituted phenyl group such as 2,4-dichloro-6-methylphenyl.

Abstract: A dual polarized mechanical scan antenna capable of rapid beam scanning includes a parabolic reflector having an elliptically shaped solid metal central section with conductive parallel grids extending therefrom to the perimeter of the paraboloid to form two outer grided sections. The axis of the parabolic reflector and the radiation axis of the feed antenna, positioned at the focus in alignment therewith, is positioned at a predetermined angle from a reference axis of the system. A polarization twist reflector is positioned at the focus for pivoting about the perpendicular to the reference axis. Dual polarization is realized when the twist plate is positioned such that the antenna system receives signals along paths that clear the parabolic reflector.

Abstract: Organosilicon polymers, including crosslinked polymers and crosslinkable prepolymers, of cyclic polysiloxanes, organic dyes, and, optionally, polyenes. The dyes include those with delocalized Pi electron systems linking electron donor groups and electron acceptor groups, and with at least two carbon-carbon double bond-containing pendant groups attached to at least two different sites from among the indicated delocalized Pi electron systems, donor groups, and acceptor groups.

Abstract: The present invention provides a long range LADAR (Laser Detection and Ranging), that employs in combination a 1.32 micron, Q-switched, diode-pumped Nd:YLF laser whose output beam is linearly polarized. A quarter-wave plate is positioned in front of the laser such that the laser's (e.g. vertical)polarized light is converted to right circular polarization. Reflection from a specular surface returns left circular polarized light. A second quarter-wave plate transforms the left circular polarized light to horizontally polarized light which is then propagated through a beam splitter to two Gallium Arsenide Avalanche Photo-Diode detectors. This invention provides both substantial reduction in eye injury potential and good transmission in the atmosphere while improving scattering performance.

Abstract: An attachment assembly for connecting a pressure vessel to another object, but preferably for connecting rocket motors to one another, including several successive layers, which are arranged in the following order: first, a reinforcement section on an outer casing of a first pressure vessel; second, a layer of resilient shear ply material adhered to the outermost surface of the reinforcement section; third, a saddle positioned over the shear ply; fourth, an overwrap which secures the saddle to the shear ply; fifth, a plurality of lugs which are secured to the saddle; sixth, a connecting means attached to one of the lugs; seventh, a strut wherein a first end thereof is attached to at least one of the lugs; and, eighth, a attachment means for connecting a second end of the strut with a second pressure vessel.

Abstract: Organosilicon polymers, including crosslinked polymers and crosslinkable prepolymers, of cyclic polysiloxanes, organic dyes, and, optionally, polyenes. The dyes include those with delocalized Pi electron systems linking electron donor groups and electron acceptor groups, and with at least two carbon-carbon double bond-containing pendant groups attached to at least two different sites from among the indicated delocalized Pi electron systems, donor groups, and acceptor groups.

Abstract: A filament wound pipe for conveying fluids, said pipe having a central longitudinal axis which extends along a length of said pipe which includes at least an end thereof that is for connecting said pipe to another body, said pipe comprising a filament wound axial section, two ramp sections and at least one end section wherein said ramp section is between said axial and said end sections along said central longitudinal axis, and wherein said end section is internally threaded; and wherein said filaments extend from said axial section through said ramp section to a first, to a second and to other locations in one of said end sections and wherein from said ramp section to an end of said end section remote from said ramp section inner dimensions increase along said central longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A process of forming an igniter in an aft-end assembly for a solid rocket motor, the assembly having an internal cavity and comprising at least one element selected from the group consisting of a nozzle, a blast tube and an exit cone, which process comprises positioning an ignition package comprising pyrotechnic material and an initiator in the assembly cavity and causing a polymer foam to expand and cure in the assembly cavity and around the ignition package, so as to embed and secure the ignition package, form an aft closure, and for the igniter as an integral portion of the assembly.