Abstract: A high-throughput liquid chromatography system capable of parallel separations for increased sample throughput is described. The system comprises valves allowing for the use of multiple liquid chromatography columns and a single injector and pumping system while also minimizing extraneous plumbing and hardware. The system is capable of injecting individual samples and directing them to one of a multiplicity of columns followed by selective output to a detector. The system described allows for up to 16 columns, but the number may vary according to the application. The system may be run in an isocratic or gradient mode. Whereas currently available multi-probe systems incorporate a separate injector for each column, the invention described here uses only one injector and is independent of column number. This removes injector variability along with reducing the amount of pluming and mechanical parts in the system allowing for better separations while providing a more robust system.

Abstract: A composite including an inorganic substrate having an outer surface from which pores extend into the substrate and a coating extending over the substrate's outer surface as a substantially uninterrupted layer of carbon. The coating penetrates into the pores of the inorganic substrate. The composite can be made by a process including the steps of contacting an inorganic substrate with a coating and impregnating liquid consisting essentially or wholly of a carbon precursor liquid, treating the inorganic substrate under conditions effective to cure substantially the carbon precursor liquid, and heating the inorganic substrate under conditions effective to convert substantially the cured carbon precursor liquid to carbon.

Abstract: In a process of forming cordierite-containing bodies, the water absorption capability or shrinkage of the bodies is controlled using the alumina-yielding ingredients. The process of controlling the water absorption capability or shrinkage includes the steps of providing alumina-yielding ingredients in the form of two aluminas having different particle sizes, wherein the ratio of the two particle sizes is in the range of from about 3:1 to 30:1 or 1:3 to 1:30. Next, a linear relationship between the cordierite-containing body's water absorption capability or shrinkage and the relative percentage of the alumina-yielding ingredients made up by the two aluminas is determined. After determining the linear relationship, a water absorption capability or shrinkage of the cordierite-containing body is selected in accordance with that relationship by adjusting the relative percentages of the two aluminas.

Abstract: A rigid, low expansion formable housing composition can be used to package optical waveguide couplers. The housing is in intimate contact with and strongly bonded to the coupler being packaged. The housing composition includes a formable polymeric resin, a glass-ceramic or ceramic or glass filler, and, optionally, strengthening fibers. The filler has a low thermal expansion to compensate for the high expansion of the resin. A moisture barrier layer may be placed around the housing composition, and it is possible to incorporate a shock absorbing material between the housing and the moisture barrier layer.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a shaped-tube electrolytic polishing process which involves providing a workpiece with at least one hole. The hole is polished by advancing a metal tube electrode through the hole while passing an electrolyte through the tube and into the hole and while passing electric current between the metal tube and the workpiece through the electrolyte. As a result of such polishing, reduced surface roughness is imparted to the hole. It is particularly desirable to provide the hole in the workpiece by a shaped-tube electrolytic drilling process.

Abstract: An extrusion die is used for producing ceramic honeycomb materials. It is particularly useful in producing such extrudates in sheet form by configuring the die in the form of a cylinder and providing a cutting device proximate to the exterior of the cylinder so that when relative rotation is imparted between the cutter and the cylinder, a honeycomb sheet is removed. A cover can be provided over the exterior surface of the cylindrically-shaped die to permit formation of honeycomb extrudates in pellet form.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for making glass by a sol-gel process. The process is initiated by forming a mixture of silicon alkoxide and an alcohol in a solution sufficiently acidic to partially hydrolyze the silicon alkoxide. An index modifying metal alkoxide selected from the group consisting of alkoxides of titanium and zirconium is then added to the mixture. Water is next added to convert the metal alkoxides to a network of corresponding metal oxides suitable for gelation. The mixture containing the network of metal oxides is then contained for sufficient time to form a gel. The gel is acid leached for enough time to remove some of the index modifying metal oxide. To prevent further removal of index modifying metal oxide from the gel, the gel is fixed. The fixed gel is then rinsed with a solvent to remove precipitates from the gel, dried, and sintered into a transparent gradient-index glass.

Abstract: A reduced coefficient of thermal expansion and an increased resistance to thermal shock in cordierite-containing ceramic articles is achieved by contacting such articles with water either in a liquid or gaseous state. It is particularly desirable for such treatment to reduce the coefficient of thermal expansion of the article by at least 1.times.10.sup.-7 .degree. C..sup.-1, measured between 25.degree. and 800.degree. C., during the contacting. This treatment can be used in conjunction with extruded honeycomb structures conventionally used as diesel particle filters and supports for catalysts which treat automotive exhaust gases.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a photoelectrographic element having a conductive layer in electrical contact with an acid photogenerating layer which is free of photopolymerizable materials and contains an electrically insulating binder and an onium acid photogenerator. A dye or pigment which undergoes a color density or hue shift upon exposure with radiation is included in the photoelectrographic element. A method for forming images with this element is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to laser-induced thermal dye transfer using heat-transferable dyes, bleachable and heat-transferable near-infrared absorbing sensitizers, acid-photogenerating compounds, and optional near-ultraviolet absorbing sensitizers. The combination of the near-infrared absorbing sensitizer and acid-photogenerating compounds effects transfer of the heat-transferable dyes and bleaching of the near-infrared absorbing sensitizer to eliminate unwanted visible light absorption. The acid-photogenerating compound may be present in either the dye-donor or dye-receiver element. If the acid-photogenerator is in the dye-donor, bleaching will occur upon initial exposure of the dye-donor to near-infrared or near-ultraviolet radiation. If present in the dye-receiver element, bleaching will occur upon subsequent exposure of the dye receiver to near-infrared or near-ultraviolet radiation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a photoelectrographic element having a conductive layer in electrical contact with an acid photogenerating layer which is free of photopolymerizable materials and contains an electrically insulating binder and a nonionic sulfonic acid photogenerator. A method of forming images with this element is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for continuously liquefying a gelled photographic material for coating on a substrate is disclosed. The material is advanced throughout the liquefaction apparatus and on to the substrate coating system as a substantially undisrupted mass. The technique is particularly useful for liquefying small amounts of material at a time, because system hold-up volume and waste is minimized.

Abstract: A substantially dehydroxylated glass is formed by impregnating a dry porous silica gel with a nitrogen-containing organic compound in an organic solvent capable of solubilizing that compound. The impregnated gel is then sintered in a non-oxidizing atmosphere to form a substantially dehydroxylated, fully-densified silica glass. The gel is typically formed by a sol-gel process. The nitrogen-containing organic compound can be guanidine compounds, urea, or mixtures thereof.

Abstract: For monitoring the working of a workpiece (W) with pulsed radiation of an excimer laser the workpiece surface is periodically illuminated with visible light (B) synchronously with at least some of the laser pulses. A mirror arrangement (S) separates visible light from ultraviolet laser light so that an image corresponding to the working operation can be picked up with a video camera (VK).

Abstract: A method of removing silver chloride from a photographic silver halide material during processing which comprises treatment with an aqueous fixing solution containing an alkali metal sulphite as sole silver halide solvent. to remove substantially all of silver chloride in less than 50 seconds.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a photoelectrographic element having a conductive layer in electrical contact with an acid photogenerating layer which is free of photopolymerizable materials and contains an electrically insulating binder and acid photogenerator. A pigment which absorbs near-infrared radiation is included in the photoelectrographic element so that the element, when used in electrostatic copying, can be exposed with near-infrared radiation. A method for forming images with this element is also disclosed.

Abstract: Photographic emulsions, particularly those produced by a silver halide reaction, are concentrated and, optionally, washed in a 2-stage ultrafiltration system. The system includes a spiral wound ultrafiltration module and a plate and frame ultrafiltration module. Serial use of these two ultrafiltration systems permits the viscosity of the resulting emulsion to be increased, at commercial scale production levels, to a level suitable for curtain coating photographic substrates.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a polymer composition comprising a high molecular weight polyester having a glass transition temperature of 50.degree. to 100.degree. C. and a weight average molecular weight of 30,000 to 100,000 and a low molecular weight polyester in linear, amorphous form defined by the formula: ##STR1## said low molecular weight polyester having a glass transition temperature of 55.degree.-65.degree. C., wherein:R is a hydrocarbon radical having 2 to 5 carbons andm is a number which gives the low molecular weight polyester a number average molecular weight of 500 to 2000.

Abstract: Disclosed is a shaped article comprising a continuous oriented thermoplastic polymer matrix having dispersed therein microbeads of a polymer which are at least partially bordered by void space, the microbeads being present in an amount of about 5%-50% weight based on the weight of said oriented thermoplastic, said void space occupying about 2%-60% by volume of said shaped article. Preferably, the microbeads are cross-linked to an extent they will be resilient and elastic at the orientation temperature, and are coated with a slip agent. The shaped article is preferably in the form of a sheet, fibers, or other molded article, and preferably has a relatively low specific gravity and whiteness.

Abstract: Apparatus for packaging a fiber optic device along with electronic and opto-electronic components upon a printed circuit board. Bend members having arcuate shaped guide surfaces for directing fibers between various components are strategically mounted upon the top surface of the board. Passive fiber optic components are also mounted upon support means between bend members so that the fibers entering and exiting the passive component run tangent to the bend radius of the bend members. The radius of curvature of the bend members is within the bend tolerance of the fibers used in the device. The bend members and support members are formed of a material having a thermal coefficient of expansion that is about equal to that of the board material whereby thermally induced stresses on the board mounted components are minimized.