Abstract: A reflective strain gauge includes an holographically-formed polymer dispersed liquid crystal (H-PDLC) film comprising layers of liquid crystal (LC) droplets in a matrix polymer, the H-PDLC film having a reflection or transmission grating capable of reflecting or transmitting light of a selected wavelength, and means for adhering the film to a surface of a workpiece for monitoring the strain at said surface. A change in the nature of the reflected light is an indication of strain. Also included is a polarizing material having an holographically-formed polymer dispersed liquid crystal (H-PDLC) film comprising layers of liquid crystal (LC) droplets in a matrix polymer, the H-PDLC film having a reflection grating capable of reflecting light of a selected wavelength, wherein the reflection grating of the H-PDLC film is oriented, such that the refractive index parallel to said axis of orientation (ne) is greater than the refractive index perpendicular to said axis (no).

Abstract: A multicolored reflection liquid crystal display device includes a pair of substrates having a reflective holographic polymer dispersed liquid crystal (H-PDLC) film disposed therebetween. The H-PDLC film contains at least two different reflection gratings capable of reflecting two different wavelengths of light. A multicolored reflection H-PDLC is obtained by simultaneously illuminating a plurality of regions of a film comprised of a mixture of a liquid crystal and a photo-polymerizable monomer with a plurality of holographic light patterns capable of providing liquid crystal layers of different spacings so as to obtain different reflection gratings in each of the regions. A mask is placed between each of the laser light beams and the film to form a pattern of light and dark regions on the film. Each mask is positioned such that at least one light region of a first beam pair coincides with at least one dark region of a second beam pair within the film.

Abstract: A method for preparing a BSCCO-2223 oxide superconducting article includes annealing an oxide superconductor article comprised of BSCCO-2223 oxide superconductor at a temperature selected from the range of about 500° C.≦T≦787° C. and an annealing atmosphere having an oxygen pressure selected from within the region having a lower bound defined by the equation, PO2(lower)≧3.5×1010exp(−32,000/T+273) and an upper bound defined by the equation, PO2(upper)≦1.1×1012exp(−32,000/T+273). The article is annealed for a time sufficient to provide at least a 10% increase in critical current density as compared to the critical current density of the pre-anneal oxide superconductor article. An oxide superconductor having the formula Bi2−yPbySr2Ca2Cu3O10+x, where 0≦x≦1.5 and where 0≦y≦0.6 is obtained, the oxide superconductor characterized by a critical transition temperature of greater than 111.0 K, as determined by four point probe method.

Abstract: A liquid precursor is provided for the formation of metal oxide films comprising a mixture of two or more types of beta-diketonate ligands bound to one or more metals. A metal beta-diketonate compound having at least two different beta-diketonate ligands provided. For example, a liquid mixture was formed of the mixed aluminum beta-diketonates derived from two or more of the ligands 2,6-dimethyl-3,5-heptanedione; 2,7-dimethyl-3,5-heptanedione; 2,6-dimethyl-3,5-octanedione; 2,2,6-trimethyl-3,5-heptanedione; 2,8-dimethyl-4,6-nonanedione; 2,7-dimethyl-4,6-nonanedione; 2,2,7-trimethyl-3,5-octanedione; and 2,2,6-trimethyl-3,5-octanedione. Films of metal oxides are deposited from vaporized precursor mixtures of metal beta-diketonates and, optionally, oxygen or other sources of oxygen. This process may be used to deposit high-purity, transparent metal oxide films on a substrate. The liquid mixtures may also be used for spray coating, spin coating and sol-gel deposition of materials.

Abstract: A method is described to prepare a highly textured oxide superconductor article in a single deformation-sinter process. A precursor article including a plurality of filaments comprising a precursor oxide having a dominant amount of a tetragonal BSCCO 2212 phase and a constraining member substantially surrounding each of the filaments is provided. Each of the filaments extends along the length of the article. The oxide article is subjected to a heat treatment at an oxygen partial pressure and temperature selected to convert a tetragonal BSCCO 2212 oxide into an orthorhombic BSCCO 2212 oxide and, thereafter, roll worked in a high reduction draft in a range of about 40% to 95% in thickness so that the filaments have a constraining dimension is substantially equivalent to a longest dimension of the oxide superconductor grains. The rolled article is sintered to obtain a BSCCO 2223 oxide superconductor.

Abstract: A water-based coating composition suitable for preparing hydrophilic surfaces on various articles is provided which includes a supporting polymer having functional moieties capable of undergoing crosslinking reactions, said supporting polymer soluble in or emulsified in an aqueous based medium; and a hydrophilic polymer, said hydrophilic polymer associated with the supporting polymer. The composition is characterized in that, when crosslinked at the functional moieties, the supporting polymer forms a three-dimensional network which substantially minimizes disassociation of the hydrophilic polymer.

Abstract: A method for the removal of copper from waste waters includes providing a solution to be treated, the solution comprising copper; introducing a source of ferric ions and a source of ferrous ions into the solution; and adjusting the pH of the solution to promote formation of a copper-containing ferrite precipitate, whereby the solution is depleted in copper. In instances where the solution contains ferric ions, the method includes introducing a source of ferrous ions into the solution to obtain a solution comprising ferric ions and ferrous ions; and adjusting the pH of the solution to promote formation of a copper-containing ferrite precipitate, whereby the solution is depleted in copper.

Abstract: A single crystal perovskite material is provided having the formula, M&agr;Bi&bgr;M′&ggr;M″&dgr;O3±z, where M is one or more of Na, K, Rb and Cs; M′ is one or more of Ca, Sr, Ba, Pb, Y, La, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb and Lu; and M″ is one or more of Ti, Zr, Hf, Sn, Ge, Mg, Zn, Al, Sc, Ga, Nb, Mo, Sb, Ta and W; where z≦0.1; 0.9≦&dgr;≦1.1; &agr;, &bgr; and &ggr; are greater than zero; and (&agr;+&bgr;+&ggr;) is in the range of about 0.75 to 1.1. A perovskite material of the formula, Na&ohgr;M&agr;Bi&bgr;M′&ggr;M″&dgr;O3±z, is provided where M is one or more of K, Rb and Cs; M′ is one or more of Ca, Sr, Ba, Pb, Y, La, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Th, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb and Lu; M″ is one or more of Ti, Zr, Hf, Sn, Ge, Mg, Zn, Al, Sc, Ga, Nb, Mo, Sb, Ta and W; where z≦0.1; 0.9≦&dgr;≦1.1; &agr;, &bgr; and &ggr; are greater than zero; and (&agr;+&bgr;+&ggr;) is in the range of about 0.75 to 1.1.

Abstract: A composite for preparation of an oxide superconductor includes a primary alloy phase of constituent elements of a desired oxide superconductor; and a secondary phase comprising copper, the secondary phase supported by the primary alloy phase. The composite may additionally include a matrix material for supporting the primary alloy phase and second phase disposed therein. The composite is oxidized to form an oxide superconductor composite.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel process for converting a standard inert amorphous calcium phosphate precipitate into highly reactive amorphous solids. The amorphous solids can be used to react with other calcium phosphate solids to form a poorly-crystalline synthetic hydroxyapatite that provides both bioactivity and structural integrity. This novel amorphous material can be reacted with other calcium phosphates at or below 37° C. to form a bone-like material consisting of poorly crystalline hydroxyapatite.

Abstract: A method for preparing an oxide superconductor cable includes transposing a plurality of oxide superconductor strands along a longitudinal axis so as to form a cable and exposing the cable to a two step heat treatment after cabling of the oxide strands, the heat treatment comprising, (a) heating the cable to and maintaining the cable at a first temperature sufficient to partially melt the article, such that a liquid phase co-exists with the desired oxide superconductor phase; and (b) cooling the cable to and maintaining the cable at a second temperature sufficient to substantially transform the liquid phase into the desired oxide superconductor.

Abstract: A process for selective electroless plating onto a substrate, including providing a substrate having at least a catalytic surface; providing a plating gel comprising a carrier vehicle, an electroless platable metal compound capable of providing metal ions to the carrier vehicle at a specific pH, a reducing agent, and a polymeric thickening agent; applying said plating gel to the substrate surface in a selected pattern, and inducing plating of said metal on the substrate surface in said selected pattern. A stabilizer, and/or buffering and/or organic chelating agent, and/or surfactant and/or a humectant may be included in the plating gel. Preferably the metal compound is a gold complex, and the substrate is aluminum nitride.

Abstract: The present invention provides a (Bi,Pb)SCCO-2223 oxide superconductor composite which exhibits improved critical current density and critical current density retention in the presence of magnetic fields. Retention of critical current density in 0.1 T fields (77 K, ⊥ ab plane) of greater than 35% is disclosed. Significant improvements in oxide superconductor wire current carrying capacity in a magnetic field are obtained by subjecting the oxide superconductor composite to a post-processing heat treatment which reduces the amount of lead in the (Bi,Pb)SCCO-2223 phase and forms a lead-rich non-superconducting phase. The heat treatment is carried out under conditions which localize the lead-rich phase at high energy sites in the composite.

Abstract: An apparatus is used to turn liquids into vapors for use in chemical vapor deposition. It uses a high-frequency ultrasonic plate to break the liquid into tiny droplets and a gas-dynamic sorting tower to reprocess larger droplets into smaller ones before quickly vaporizing them. The method can vaporize liquids with high efficiency even if they have low vapor pressures and limited thermal stability. The vapor concentration can be set to a known and reproducible value by setting the pumping rate. The apparatus can rapidly start and stop the vapor flow. The pressure drop in the carrier gas is very small. Only a very small dead volume of liquid is contained in the apparatus at any given time, so little is wasted when the system is cleaned.

Abstract: A compound effect for the treatment of dermatological disorders comprises a mono- or diester of an &agr;,&ohgr;-dicarboxylic acid, wherein the alcohol moiety of the said ester comprises a keratolytically active alcohol. The compound may have the formula, where n is in the range of 6 to 12; m is in the range of 0 to 8; R′ is selected from the group consisting of H, alkyl, aryl, alkenyl, benzyl, OH, NHR″, CONHR″ and COOR″; R″ is selected from the group consisting of alkyl, aryl, alkenyl, and benzyl; and Y is selected from the group consisting of H, alkyl, aryl, alkenyl, benzyl and X.

Abstract: An oxide superconductor article is provided having an oxide superconductor film having a thickness of greater than 0.5 microns disposed on a substrate, said article having a transport critical current density (Jc) of greater than or equal to about 105 A/cm2 at 77 K, zero field. The oxide superconductor film is characterized by high Jc and high volume percent of c-axis epitaxial oxide grains, even with thicknesses of up to 1 micron.