Abstract: A process for forming random copolymers which comprises forming a polymer melt containing one or more polyamides and one or more aryl phosphoryl azide compounds, such as diphenyl phosphoryl azide; and heating said melt for a period of time sufficient to form the desired amount of the copolymer.

Abstract: This invention relates to fiber surface treating agents containing a pyromellitate nucleus which have fungicidal, anti-microbial and anti-static properties, and blends of such agents with other types of surface modifiers.

Abstract: The invention relates to an improvement in a method of forming deposits of superconducting ceramics. Generally, such ceramics are formed by electrodepositing a mixture of metals of the type and in proportions sufficient to be oxidized into ceramic; oxidizing the electrodeposited mixture under conditions sufficient to result in a superconducting ceramic deposit; and orienting the crystallites in said superconducting ceramic deposit. Crystallite orientation may take place before, after or during the oxidation step.

Abstract: A complex part composed of rapidly solidified magnesium base metal alloy is produced by superplastic forming at a temperature ranging from 160.degree. C. to 275.degree. C. and at a rate ranging from 0.00021 m/sec. to 0.00001 m/sec., to improve the formability thereof and allow forming to be conducted at lower temperatures. The rapidly solidified magnesium based alloy has a composition consisting essentially of the formula Mg.sub.bal Al.sub.a Zn.sub.b X.sub.c, wherein X is at least one element selected from the group consisting of manganese, cerium, neodymium, praseodymium and yttrium, "a" range from 0 to about 15 atom percent, "b" ranges from 0 to about 4 atom percent and "c" ranges from about 0.2 to 3 atom percent, the balance being magnesium and incidental impurities, with the proviso that the sum of aluminum and zinc present ranges from about 2 to 15 atom percent. Such an alloy contains fine grain size and finely dispersed magnesium-, aluminum- rare earth intermetallic phases.

Abstract: A vehicle storage battery is monitored to determine battery capacity, state of charge and certain fault conditions. The ambient temperature, battery voltage alternator/regulator output voltage and current to and from the battery are continuously measured. Current voltage (I-V) data is analyzed to determine the internal resistance and polarization of the battery. A determination is made regarding state of charge and fault conditions produced by corroded terminals and low electrolyte level. The low temperature starting limit is determined by comparing the battery's power output capability with starting power requirements of the vehicle. Data produced by the comparison are indicated on the dashboard of the vehicle.

Abstract: Air turbulence (windshear as well as clear air turbulence) in navigable airspace is detected by remotely sensing changes in the spatial temperature profile of an air column ahead of an aircraft by repeatedly sensing the intensity of the thermal radiation from the column of atmospheric air in at least two spectral peaks in the 4.17 to 4.2 .mu.m region of the CO.sub.2 spectral emission band, and comparing the relative intensity of the spectral peaks over time. Apparatus which includes a tunable Fabry-Perot etalon is provided for the practice of the method.

Abstract: A conductively cooled, optically face-pumped slab laser comprises a slab laser host 1 having transparent, thermally conductive pump lamp housings 2 bonded to its pump faces. Flashlamps 3 are embedded in pump lamp housings 2 for generating pumplight which is transmitted through the housings 2 into laser host 1 to cause lasing. Heat flow within the laser host 1 is substantially bi-directional, thereby minimizing optically harmful thermal distortion of the host. The apparatus can function as laser amplifier, laser oscillator or combined oscillator/amplifier.

Abstract: A method of growing optical quality .beta.-BaB.sub.2 O.sub.4 crystals involves growing these crystals from a fluxed melt of BaB.sub.2 O.sub.4, Na.sub.2 O and NaCl, in certain proportions.

Abstract: An improved moving cavity yarn texturing device is described. One improved feature is a two stage energy tube which provides for more effective filling of the moving cavity by the yarn. The first stage has a cross section with a major axis an a minor axis. The second stage has a cross section with a major axis and a minor axis whose ratio is less than that of the first stage. A second feature is an improved chamber design which employs a channel having a "V" shaped cross section which eliminates snagging of the yarn by the cavity.

Abstract: This method relates to a process for manufacturing printed circuit boards in which a metal coating is sputtered onto certain regions of a substrate. Adhesion of the sputtered material is excellent. Surface preparation of the substrate and etching thereof prior to sputtering are virtually eliminated. Films deposited by sputtering exhibit uniform coverage and thickness.

Abstract: This invention relates to medical devices formed totally or in part from homopolymers or copolymers comprising recurring carbonate moieties.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved composite which comprises one or more layers, at least one of said layers comprising network of high strength filaments having a tensile modulus of at least about 160 grams/denier, a tenacity of at least about 7 g/denier and an energy-to-break of at least about 8 joules/gram in a matrix material, the ratio of the thickness of said layer to the equivalent diameter of said filaments is equal to or less than about 12.8, and complex composite articles formed from said composite.

Abstract: Novel polycarbonate homopolymers and implantable bioresorbable medical devices fabricated therefrom.

Abstract: A method of fabricating an electrode which comprises an intimate mixture of finely divided electroactive material in a matrix composed of a conjugated backbone polymer which comprises the steps of: derivatizing the surface of finely divided alkali-metal alloying metal, alkali metal cation inserting material or anion inserting material with active polymer catalyst; dispersing the derivatized metal or material having a desired small particle size in a gas, suspension or solution of a monomer or other precursor of the desired conjugated backbone polymer and polymerizing the monomer and/or precursor in the presence of the dispersed metal or material; and fabricating a cohesive solid by recovering the polymerization product from said gas, suspension or solution comprising derivatized metal or material coated with conjugated backbone polymer and forming same into a cohesive solid.

Abstract: This invention relates to novel copolymers containing carbonate repeat units and ester repeat units.

Abstract: An inductance coil serves as a displacement sensor arranged in connection with a tuned circuit of an oscillator. Liquid level displacement in an LEC crystal growth environment is sensed as a frequency change in the oscillator circuit as compared to a set point value. The sensor is protected from the environment by an outer protective sheath of non-conductive, non-contaminating material such as boron nitride.

Abstract: Chromium(III) oxide and hydroxide aerogels are produced by the reaction of chromium(VI) oxide with a solvent which is reducing to chromium(VI), such as methanol, heating the solution to hypercritical conditions, and venting the solvent hypercritically. The product aerogels exhibit surface areas above 400 m.sup.2 /g, pore volumes of at least 2 cm.sup.3 /g and a substantially uniform pore size distribution. Also disclosed is a unique process which employs high pore volume, high surface area chromium(III) oxide or hydroxide as a fluorination catalyst. More particularly, reaction of C.sub.2 Cl.sub.3 F.sub.3 with HF over these catalysts produced high yields of C.sub.2 Cl.sub.2 F.sub.4 and C.sub.2 ClF.sub.5.

Abstract: This invention relates to a fiber comprising a major amount of a continous phase comprising one or more melt processible polyesters of fiber forming molecular weight, and a minor amount of one or more polyolefins non-uniformly dispersed in said continuous phase such that the concentration of polyolefins at or near the surface of said fiber is greater than the concentration of polyesters at or near the surface of said fiber, and a process for preparing said fiber.

Abstract: A process for decreasing the melt index and increasing the melt viscosity and melt elasticity of polyamide by adding thereto an effective amount of an aryl phosphoryl azide compound as for example diphenyl phosphoryl azide, and thereafter heating the composition until the desired changes in melt index, melt viscosity and melt elasticity are attained.

Abstract: This invention relates to novel forms of poly(heteroaromatic vinylenes), and poly(aromatic vinylenes) and to solutions thereof, either in the conductive form or non-conductive form.