Abstract: A polymerizable composition suitable for storage prior to polymerization is made by mixing a phthalonitrile monomer and a curing agent under non-reactive conditions below the melting temperatures of the phthalonitrile monomer and the curing agent and in the absence of a solvent to create a homogeneous, unreacted mixture.

Abstract: A labeled compound detectable by IR spectroscopy contains at least one histidine residue bound to a cyanate or thiocyanate metal complex that has an IR absorption band within the spectral region of 2399-1900 cm−1. An assay reagent for simultaneously detecting or determining a plurality of different analytes in a sample is made up of a plurality of different labeled compounds, each being independently distinguishable from the others by absorbing energy in a different and distinguishable region in the range of 2300 to 1900 cm−1.

Abstract: A high temperature superconducting composite rod, wire or tape is formed by filling the open cells of a reticulated foam structure made of silver, silver alloy, gold or gold alloy with a superconducting ceramic oxide or precursor, compacting the filled structure and forming it into a rod, wire or tape and heating it to melt and/or texture the superconducting ceramic oxide. The resulting composite has continuous ligaments of metal throughout a continuous region of superconducting ceramic oxide.

Abstract: Nanocrystalline semiconductors are synthesized within a bicontinuous cubic atrix 10. The nanocrystalline particles 12 may then be end-capped 18 with a dispersant to prevent agglomeration. One typical nanocrystalline semiconductor compound made according to the present invention is PbS. Other IV-VI semiconductors may be produced by the method of the present invention. The method of this invention may also be used to produce doped semiconductors.

Abstract: A cone-tipped penetrometer for in situ analysis of soil or sediment by X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy. Rather than using a radioactive source, a miniature x-ray tube is powered by a filament isolation transformer located inside the penetrometer pipe which has an outside diameter of about 2 inches or less. The x-rays pass out through a special x-ray transmissive window, such as a low metal impurity-containing high strength boron carbide, into the soil or sediment below the surface and the resulting x-rays from the metals in the soil or sediment return through the window to a detector. The signal is transmitted back up to the surface where the x-rays are quantitatively analyzed to determine the concentration of metals in the soil. This real-time in situ x-ray fluorescence spectroscopy of soil or sediment samples permits field analysis of hazardous waste sites and other underground soil and underwater sediments.

Abstract: An ultrasonic energy source is used to provide a variable force for measuring the binding forces between molecular entities and for sensing the presence of an analyte in a test sample. The device includes a surface that has a first binding member attached thereto and one or more particles that have a second binding member attached thereto. A reaction vessel is provided for exposing the surface to the particles whereby, if the first binding member has a binding affinity for the second binding member, a complex is formed between individual first binding members and individual second binding members and the particles thereby become immobilized with respect to the surface. The ultrasonic energy source is positioned for applying a variable ultrasonic force onto the surface, and the position of the particles is monitored as the intensity of the ultrasonic force is varied.

Abstract: An optically-stimulated luminescent radiation dosimeter system for the ree monitoring of radiation sources is disclosed. The system includes a radiation-sensitive optically-stimulated dosimeter which utilizes a new, doped glass material disposed at a remote location for storing energy from ionizing radiation when exposed thereto and for releasing the stored energy in the form of optically-stimulated luminescent light at a first wavelength when stimulated by exposure to light energy at a stimulating second wavelength.

Abstract: A piezoelectric ceramic-polymer composite is made of a substantially two-dimensional polymer matrix and a monolayer of sintered piezoelectric ceramic granules dispersed throughout the matrix so that each granule has an upper portion protruding from one side of the matrix and a lower portion protruding from the opposite side of the matrix. The composite is formed by partially embedding a monolayer of sintered piezoelectric ceramic granules in a pliable material, then partially covering the granules with a polymer resin, curing the resin to form a matrix and removing the pliable material. A transducer is formed by flattening the upper and lower portions of the granules to form coplanar top and bottom surfaces parallel to, but not coplanar with the surface of the matrix, then electroding the granule surfaces, attaching top and bottom cover plates, and sealing the transducer around the edges.

Abstract: A debonding layer is formed on fibers such as silicon carbide fibers by fing a thin film of a metal such as nickel or iron on the silicon carbide fibers and then annealing at a temperature of about 350-550.degree. C. to form a debond layer of a metal silicide and carbon. These fibers having the debond coating can be added to composite forming materials and the mixture treated to form a consolidated composite. A one heating-step method to form a consolidated composite involves inserting the silicon carbide fibers with just the initial metal film coating into the composite forming materials and then heating the mixture to form the debond coating in situ on the fibers and to form the consolidated composite. Preferred heating techniques include high temperature annealing, hot-pressing, or hot isostatic pressing (HIP).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a powder of unagglomerated metallic particles. More particularly, the present invention relates to a powder of unagglomerated metallic particles having an average diameter of about 1-100 nm and the process for making the same. Additionally, the powder of unagglomerated metallic particles can be formed into a lyophilized form which upon reconstitution maintains the average diameter of between about 1-100 nm wherein the particles remain unagglomerated.

Abstract: A composite structure includes a self-supporting substrate and a thermal barrier coating of zirconia stabilized with scandia and yttria. A method of protecting the surface of a self-supporting substrate from degradation caused by exposure to temperatures above 1200.degree. C. includes the step of applying to the surface a coating of zirconia stabilized with scandia and yttria.

Abstract: A film of a coating material is produced on a substrate by a pulsed laser deposition method in which the material that forms the coating material is first combined with a matrix material to form a target. The target is then exposed to a source of laser energy to desorb the matrix material from the target and lift the coating material from the surface of the target. The target and the substrate are oriented with respect to each other so that the lifted coating material is deposited as a film upon said substrate. The matrix material is selected to have the property of being more volatile than the coating material and less likely than the coating material to adhere to the substrate. The matrix material is further selected as having the property such that when the target is exposed to a source of laser energy, the matrix material desorbs from the target and lifts the coating material from the surface of the target.

Abstract: A spectral filter is made in the form of a wafer of nanochannel glass having an array of substantially uniform parallel hollow channels of from about 0.1 microns to about 10 microns that are coated with a reflective material.

Abstract: A fiber-reinforced phthalonitrile composite is made by impregnating or coating a fibrous material with a phthalonitrile prepolymer mixture containing a phthalonitrile monomer and an aromatic amine curing agent that is thermally stable and nonvolatile at a temperature up to about 375.degree. C., and that contains at least one electron withdrawing substituent effective to reduce the reactivity of the aromatic amine curing agent with the phthalonitrile monomer.

Abstract: A sample support member for atomic force microscopy of intermolecular interactions includes a sample support base having a plurality of protrusions, each protrusion having an apical substrate region or tip that has been chemically modified by the immobilization thereon of a sample compound or of a linking compound that is capable of binding a sample compound. A reference compound support member has a surface region having at least one reference compound immobilized thereon.The relative position and orientation of the reference compound support member and the substrate support member are controlled to select a particular protrusion and to cause an interaction between a reference compound immobilized on the surface region of the free end of the cantilever and the sample compound immobilized on the apical substrate area of the selected protrusion. A physical parameter associated with the interaction between the reference compound and the sample compound can be measured.

Abstract: A precursor composition includes (1) at least one crosslinking compound resented by the formula: ##STR1## wherein: u and x are independently selected positive integers, v and w are independently selected integers greater than or equal to zero, R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3, R.sup.4, R.sup.5, R.sup.6, R.sup.7 and R.sup.8 are independently selected from the group consisting of alkyl, aryl, alkylaryl, haloalkyl, haloaryl and mixtures thereof, A and E are independently selected from the group consisting of O, an aliphatic bridge, an aryl bridge and mixtures thereof; and R.sup.9 and R.sup.10 are unsubstituted or substituted vinyl or ethynyl groups, (2) at least one organosilicon compound containing at least two silicon hydride moieties per molecule, and (3) a hydrosilation catalyst. A cross-linked polymer is formed by reacting the crosslinking compound of formula I with the organosilicon compound via a hydrosilation reaction. A thermoset polymer is formed by thermally curing the crosslinked polymer.

Abstract: Carborane-silane/siloxane compounds having unsaturated organic end groups e represented by the formula: ##STR1## wherein: u and x are independently selected positive integers, v and w are independently selected integers greater than or equal to zero, R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3, R.sup.4, R.sup.5, R.sup.6, R.sup.7 and R.sup.8 are independently selected from the group consisting of alkyl, aryl, alkylaryl, haloalkyl, haloaryl and mixtures thereof; A and E are independently selected from the group consisting of O, an aliphatic bridge, an aryl bridge and mixtures thereof; and R.sup.9 and R.sup.10 are unsubstituted or substituted vinyl or ethynyl groups.

Abstract: A carbon-based composite is made by the steps of(1) impregnating a fibrous material with a phthalonitrile thermoset polymer precursor,(2) curing the product of step (1) to form a fiber-reinforced thermoset polymer and(3) pyrolyzing the product of step (2) to form the carbon-based composite. The carbon-based composite may be made with only one cycle of the steps (1), (2), and (3).

Abstract: A method is disclosed for measuring intramolecular forces within a sample compound by providing an atomic force microscope that includes a sample support member and a cantilever. The sample support member has a plurality of protrusions, and each protrusion has an apical substrate region that has been chemically modified to have a sample compound immobilized thereon. The cantilever has a fixed end and a free end, the free end having a surface region that has been chemically modified to have a grasping compound immobilized thereon. To measure intramolecular forces within the sample compound, the relative position and orientation of the cantilever and the sample support member are controlled to select a particular protrusion and to allow a molecule of the grasping compound to bind with a molecule of the sample compound.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for monitoring a stainless steel decarburization cess includes a flame emission spatial imaging spectrometer and a telescopic lens system coupled to the spectrometer. The telescopic lens system is positioned to direct light from the furnace flame into the spectrometer. The flame emission imaging spectrometer and the telescopic lens system are located at a remote distance away from the harsh environment of the furnace flame.