Abstract: The instant invention provides a solid, polymeric electrolyte in membrane form, constituted by a solid solution of an ionic compound in a crosslinked polyether, characterized in that said polymeric electrolyte is obtained by (1) blending a prepolymer, an ionic compound, a plasticizer, and a free-radical-generating activator; and (2) applying the resulting blend on an inert carrier and exposing said blend to a source of ultraviolet light, thermal radiation or electron beam, until the blend is completely crosslinked. The instant invention also provides an electrolyte separator for use in electrochemical devices, optical and electrochemical displays and sensors, which comprises the polymeric electrolyte of the instant invention.

Abstract: A hinge made of a unitary structure which has two main projecting members and a space therebetween. The hinge is able to flex and has little biasing toward the open or closed positions.

Abstract: Process for preparing a solid, polymeric electrolyte, in membrane from, characterized in that:(1) a mixture is prepared, which contains:(a) a vinyl ether (I) of formulaR--(--O--CH.sub.2 --CH.sub.2 --).sub.n --O--CH.dbd.CH.sub.2wherein R=Me or Et and n is an integer comprised within the range of from 1 to 16;(b) a divinyl ether of formulaCH.sub.2 .dbd.CH--(--O--CH.sub.2 --CH.sub.2 --).sub.m --O--CH.dbd.CH.sub.2wherein m is integer comprised within the range of from 1 to 10, in a molar ratio to the vinyl ether (I) comprised within the range of from 2:98 to 60:40;(c) an ionic compound in an amount comprised within the range of from 1 to 30% by weight;(d) an oligomer or a dipolar aprotic liquid in an amount comprised within the range of from 0 to 80% by weight;(e) a photoinitiator in an amount comprised within the range of from 0 to 10% by weight;(2) the above mixture is applied onto an inert support and is exposed to a source of ultraviolet light, or to an electron beam.

Abstract: Process for oxidating paraffinic compounds into their corresponding alcoholic and/or ketonic derivatives, which process consists in causing said paraffins to react, at a temperature comprised within the range of from 0.degree. C. to 100.degree. C., preferably in an acidic medium, with a mixture of oxygen and hydrogen, in the presence of a catalyst on the basis of titanium-silicalite and of a noble metal and/or a derivative of such a metal.

Abstract: There are disclosed a low driving voltage surface emitting semiconductor laser and an optoelectronic integrated which comprises a two-dimensional array of such surface emitting semiconductor lasers which are modulatable with input signals of small voltage amplitudes. In an embodiment of the present invention, an optical semiconductor device includes a GaAs substrate 105, and an epitaxial growth layer structure on the GaAs substrate, the epitaxial growth layer structure including in the named order a p type GaAs/AlAs multilayer semiconductor mirror layer 104, an active layer 103 and an n type GaAs/AlAs multilayer semiconductor mirror layer 102. The epitaxial growth layer structure is etched to the depth of the active layer in forming a mesa, while the p type mirror layer remains unetched throughout a top surface of the semiconductor substrate.

Abstract: DRAM devices embodying the present invention have longer potential effective values of refresh interval. A self-refresh interval signal may be set in association with its refresh interval to minimize power consumption during the self-refresh operation mode. An inspection method may pick up DRAM devices with efficiency and without deterioration of yields. When self-refresh interval control signal SELFS assumes the logic level "H" to turn P channel type MOS transistor Qp off and N channel type MOS transistor Qn on, the node N14 is brought to ground voltage VSS. The P channel type MOS transistor Qp and the N channel type MOS transistor Qn determine the time constant at which oscillation is generated. The oscillation output is applied to memory cells of the DRAM devices to enable the self-refresh mode of operation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process to produce polystyrene foam comprising mixing a predetermined amount of masterbatch mix and a styrenic polymer, heating this mixture, injecting CO.sub.2 and/or nitrogen, in gas or liquid form, as a blowing agent and subsequently extruding, cooling and drying the resulting polystyrene foam.

Abstract: An electrochromic window comprises a tungsten oxide electrode on a transparent conductive glass sheet and a nickel oxide counterelectrode. The counterelectrode is activated by electrochemical intercalation of lithium on a transparent conductive glass sheet. The window also comprises a solid polymeric electrolyte interposed between the electrode and the counterelectrode. The electrolyte is formed by a solid solution of an ionic lithium compound in a solid crosslinked polyepoxide. The polyepoxide is obtained by copolymerization of a monoepoxide with a diepoxide.

Abstract: A prosthetic device which includes a biocompatible carbon film firmly adherent to a substrate. The carbon preferably is turbostratic and is preferably very thin, e.g., less than about one micron. The thin carbon biocompatible film is dense and covers at least that portion of the substrate which will be in contact with body tissue and/or fluids to insure against physiological rejection and degradation of the prosthetic device. The carbon can be deposited on a variety of substrates, including low temperature substrates, in situ, without adversely affecting the mechanical properties of the substrate. The prosthetic device of the invention is formed by triode sputtering vacuum deposition at a relatively low temperature to achieve the desired results with respect to the deposited carbon and the substrate and with respect to the required adherence therebetween.

Abstract: A description follows of bitumens modified with recycled and/or virgin polymers, such as polyethylene (PE) and ethylene-vinylacetate copolymer which, having special structural and morphological characteristics, give an improved performance with respect to bitumen as such or modified with traditional polymers; the mixtures thus obtained are used for street paving or different kinds of waterproofing.

Abstract: A mixed-matrix composite material reinforced with continuous fibre comprising a flexible sheath of thermoplastic polymer covering a multifibre filament impregnated with a powder consisting of:1-99% by weight, and preferably 50-95%, of a thermoplastic polymer;99-1% by weight, and preferably 50-5%, of a reactive monomer and/or prepolymer which on thermal stressing is able to undergo crosslinking and/or molecular weight increase.

Abstract: A light-emitting or light-receiving assembly is disclosed wherein the optical axis of input or output light to or from an optical fiber may not be shifted or dislocated under various environmental conditions. An optical isolator 3 is fixed on a lens mount 7 carrying a lens 2 and a ferrule 5 holding the optical fiber 12 therein is fixed to a ferrule holder 6 and the lens mount 7. Then, the distance between the lens 2 and an end surface 4 of the optical fiber is predetermined with a mechanical machining accuracy. This is followed by center-to-center adjustment through the use of a unit holder 8 placed around the lens mount 7. Thereafter, the lens mount 7 is fixedly secured to the unit holder 8 which in turn is fixedly secured to the laser mount 9, through the use of the YAG welding technique. An assembly unit 100 containing a semiconductor laser 1, the lens 2, the optical isolator 3 and the ferrule 4 is mounted on a temperature controlling Peltier effect element 10 by solder welding.

Abstract: Delay circuit 11 is composed of eight-stage NOT circuits. Polysilicon resistors RPS11 and RPS12 are connected to the sources of P channel type MOS transistor Qp12 and N channel type MOS transistor Qn12 in the second stage NOT circuit. These polysilicon resistors exhibit a smaller temperature dependency, as shown by dot lines in FIG. 2. The delay time of the eight-stage NOT circuits as a whole shows a smaller temperature dependency. Delay circuit 12 in FIG. 1 is composed of three-stage NOT circuit, followed by three-stage NOT circuit or one-stage NOT circuit. With such arrangement, a temperature detection circuit with no or less manufacturing deviations is completed.

Abstract: Process for the preparation of elastomeric copolymers of ethylene, wherein ethylene is copolymerized with an .alpha.-olefin, and possibly with a diene as termonomer, in the presence of a Ziegler-Natta catalyst including a solid component of catalyst based on titanium and aluminium, supported on magnesium chloride and obtained, in accordance with a special procedure, in the form of a spherical granular solid. This process produces elastomeric copolymers having a low crystallinity even with a high content of linked ethylene.

Abstract: An ELISA method with competitive inhibition is described for determining antisporozoite antibodies of P. Falciparum in human blood samples and in mosquito extract, which uses a single plate pretreated with only the synthetic antigen (NANP).sub.20 using, as total competitive inhibitor for the formation of the complex between the synthetic antigen adsorbed on the plate and the antibody contained in the sample, the (NANP).sub.20 synthetic peptide in a weight ratio of at least 20:1 with respect to the adsorbed antigen. Because of its high specificity, sensitivity and speed, the method is particularly suitable for epidemiological studies on malaria.

Abstract: The invention relates to an improved process and apparatus for electroplating an object and removing the excess electroplating solution from the electroplating object. The improvement comprises performing the electroplating process utilizing an apparatus and in a manner which eliminates all waste rinse solution and which provides substantially complete recovery of the chemicals utilized, but not used up, in the plating process.

Abstract: A prosthetic device which includes a turbostratic biocompatible carbon film firmly adherent to a substrate and having a density of at least 2.1 g/cm.sup.3. The carbon preferably is very thin, e.g. , less than about one micron. The thin carbon biocompatible film covers at least that portion of the substrate which will be in contact with body tissue and/or fluids to insure against physiological rejection and degradation of the prosthetic device. The carbon can be deposited on a variety of substrates, including low temperature substrates, in situ, without adversely affecting the mechanical properties of the substrate. The prosthetic device of the invention is formed by triode sputtering vacuum deposition at a relatively low temperature to achieve the desired results with respect to the deposited carbon and the substrate and with respect to the required adherence therebetween.

Abstract: Compounds based on 3,4-diaryl-(5H)-furan-2-one, with fungicidal activity, having the general formula (I): ##STR1##

Abstract: A catalyst active in the preparation of alternating olefin/carbon monoxide (CO) copolymers is constituted by:(a) at least one salt of a metal of Group IB of the Periodic System,(b) an either mono- or bidentate ligand containing one or two nitrogen or phosphorus atoms capable of linking to the copper, silver or gold atom by means of dative bonds,(c) a mineral or organic acid.Disclosed are the preparation of the catalyst and the use of said catalyst in alternated copolymerization of ethylene (C2) and/or other olefins with carbon monoxide.

Abstract: A bedding system for hospital beds comprises a mattress with releasibly connectable hook fasteners on the mattress end surfaces, a bottom sheet with releasibly connectable loop fasteners on each end, and an optional top sheet with releasibly connectable loop fasteners at the foot end and an optional draw sheet with releasibly connectable loop fasteners on each end. If the mattress is used with the draw sheet, it has releasibly connectable hook fasteners along the edge of each major surface. If the bottom sheet is to be used with the top sheet, the bottom sheet is connected so that the entire mattress head end is covered while only the top half of the mattress bottom end is covered, leaving the lower half of the hook material (on the mattress foot end) exposed and available to accept attachment of the top sheet.When utilizing conventional hospital sheets, patient movement and/or cranking up the bed contributes to wrinkled sheets and bedsores.