Abstract: Diacrylate and dimethacrylate esters corresponding to the formula ##STR1## wherein R and R' are hydrogen or methyl and A is either a sigma (.sigma.) bond; a (CH.sub.2).eta. radical where .eta. is an interger that may vary from one through four; or phenylene, or an alkyl derivative thereof. The new adamantane containing difunctional olefinic monomers can then be polymerized, or copolymerized with other acrylic type olefinic monomers to produce polymers with unusual physical properties, including unusual hardness, inertness to degradable agents, and resistance to heat.

Abstract: An improved microbial insecticide composition, and methods for the production and utilization thereof, are disclosed. The disclosed composition comprises a microbial insect pathogen of viral, bacterial, or fungal origin which is susceptible to sunlight-induced inactivation embedded in a coacervate microbead which is comprised of a nucleic acid, typically RNA, and a proteinaceous material, whereby the microbead structure itself effectively shields the agent from sunlight-induced inactivation. The microbead is typically stabilized by chemical crosslinking.

Abstract: Cultures of Pisolithus tinctorius and Thelephora terrestris can be grown by aerobic submerged fermentation in modified Pridham-Gottlieb medium at about pH 4-7 on a vermiculite carrier.

Abstract: An improved microbial insecticide composition, and methods for the production and utilization thereof, are disclosed. The disclosed composition comprises a microbial insect pathogen of viral, bacterial, or fungal origin which is susceptible to sunlight-induced inactivation embedded in a coacervate microbead which is comprised of a nucleic acid, typically RNA, and a proteinaceous material, whereby the microbead structure itself effectively shields the agent from sunlight-induced inactivation. The microbead is typically stabilized by chemical crosslinking.

Abstract: A hydraulically operated impact tool is provided for performing land-based or undersea tasks including hammering, chipping, scraping, punching, and cutting. The tool's features include a spring (preferably hydroelastic) for storing impact-stroke energy, a configuration of valves which eliminates flow in the supply and return lines during the impact stroke, and a control approach which provides operator selection of either single-blow or continuous-cycling operation.

Abstract: A two-step method for separating mineral grains from their ores is practised by first applying a shock discharge directly through the ore sample producing shock waves emanating from along the discharge path and reflected shock waves (tension waves) from grain boundaries and other discontinuities in the ore, such tension waves resulting in tensile stresses in the ore greater than the strength of the boundary or discontinuity whereby to gross spall the sample generally along the discharge path and to microfracture the region near the discharge path. The second step comprises comminuting the microfractured ore by impact or non-impact means to further reduce the ore generally along microfractures wherein considerably less energy is expended in the second step than would be required to reduce the ore to the same condition without the first step.

Abstract: An entrained bed combustor may provide constant temperature, superheated steam to a power generating steam turbine independent of the load on the turbine. In a conventional utility boiler heat is transferred in series to the steam generator, superheater and reheater. With the present invention these components may be run in parallel with heat transfer from the entrained bed particles enabling faster start-up and a turn-down capability without a reduction in the superheated steam temperature.

Abstract: Apparatus 30 for detecting the presence of more than a negligible concentration of dust or other particles in a moving stream of air or other gas (31), comprising first (1) and second (2) electrically conductive members spaced apart in a first region (A') of the stream (31), means (32) for providing thereto electrical potentials sufficiently different to provide a potential gradient of at least about 30 kilovolts per centimeter in a limited region adjacent to the surface of one of the conductive members (1 or 2), to provide a corona and thus to produce ions that charge a substantial proportion of any particles in the gas (31) passing through the first region (A'); and passive means (33) in a second region (B") of the stream (31) that is downstream from the first region (A'), for detecting the presence of a detectable concentration of charged particles in the gas (31) while present in the second region (B").

Abstract: A photon detector includes a semiconductor device, such as a Schottky barrier diode, which has an avalanche breakdown characteristic. The diode is cooled to cryogenic temperatures to eliminate thermally generated charge carriers from the device. The diode is then biased to a voltage level exceeding the avalanche breakdown threshold level such that, upon receipt of a photon, avalanche breakdown occurs. This breakdown is detected by appropriate circuitry which thereafter reduces the diode bias potential to a level below the avalanche breakdown threshold level to terminate the avalanche condition. Subsequently, the bias potential is reapplied to the diode in preparation for detection of a subsequently received photon.

Abstract: A deposit of cubic boron nitride is placed on a substrate by an activated reactive evaporation method. The method includes: supporting and heating a substrate in vacuum; evaporating metal vapors into a zone between the substrate and a metals alloy source, said source consisting essentially of at least 60 percent by weight to balance of boron with from 2 to 12 percent by weight of aluminum and at least 0.2 to 24 percent by weight of at least one of cobalt, nickel, manganese, or other aluminide forming element; introducing ammonia gas into the zone; and generating an electrical field in the zone for ionizing the metal vapors and gas atoms in the zone. In the method the substrate generally is heated to a temperature of at least 300.degree. C. with preferred substrate temperatures between about 500.degree. C. and 1100.degree. C., the ammonia gas pressure preferably is about 1.times.10.sup.-4 torr to 8.times.10.sup.

Abstract: A method for detection of unacceptable solder joints, especially solder pads on printed circuit boards (PCBs), by means of the application of acoustic vibrations over a range of frequencies to the solder joint and observation of the acoustic impedance of the joint as reflected back through the driver to the acoustic generator or through an acoustic detector near the generator to electrical detecting apparatus.

Abstract: Thermal energy is converted into rotational energy by using the expansion of a fluid medium to propel a plurality of pistons within at least one continuous, closed-loop passageway mounted on a rotatable platform. In at least one region of the passageway, the pistons must move inwardly against centrifugal force as the platform rotates. In at least one other region of the passageway, the pistons are moved outwardly under the influence of centrifugal force. Means are provided for imparting force to successive ones of the pistons to propel them against centrifugal force in said one region; while means are provided for converting the energy of pistons moving outwardly under the influence of centrifugal force in said other region into rotational energy. This rotational energy is used to drive gears mounted on the platform which mesh with a stationary gear carried beneath the platform to cause rotation of the platform about its rotational axis.

Abstract: A process for treating solid particles (66) of a raw carbonaceous fuel (62) such as coal having an original sulfur content comprises producing (at 68) a slurry (74) of a quantity of the raw fuel particles and a liquid medium (70) comprising water, at least one alkali metal compound including a substantial amount of sodium or potassium sulfide or polysulfide or a combination thereof, and a catalytic agent (72) comprising calcium or magnesium oxide or carbonate, or dolomite. The slurry is subjected (in 78) for an effective period of time to elevated temperature and pressure effective with the alkali metal compounds and water to cause the medium to penetrate the microscopic structure of the particles and to chemically and physically incorporate a substantial amount of the catalytic agent into the structure. The readily separable medium is separated (at 84) from the fuel particles and the particles are washed (at 84,106) to produce a particulate fuel product (88,110) containing the incorporated catalytic agent.

Abstract: An improved microbial insecticide composition, and methods for the production and utilization thereof, are disclosed. The disclosed composition comprises a microbial insect pathogen of viral, bacterial, or fungal origin which is susceptible to sunlight-induced inactivation embedded in a coacervate microbead which is comprised of a nucleic acid, typically RNA, and a proteinaceous material, whereby the microbead structure itself effectively shields the agent from sunlight-induced inactivation. The microbead is typically stabilized by chemical crosslinking.

Abstract: A crack gauge for monitoring the progress of fatigue crack propagation in a conductive substrate is made by applying an inorganic insulating layer and then a metallic conductor. The conductor is laid in a geometry which results in a change in a measured electrical property of the conductor (e.g., resistance) as a fatigue crack propagates through the substrate and breaks the conductor. The adherent crack gauge is especially reliable in hostile environments. A special conductor geometry is useful for especially fatigue resistant substrates.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for making an .alpha.-, .omega.-dihydroxy-terminated alkane, preferably butane-1,4-diol, by cathodically coupling a polymethylene halohydrin, preferably ethylene bromo-, or iodohydrin, in an aqueous elctrolytic bath maintained at a pH of between about 8 and 10.

Abstract: Methods (and apparatus) for nondestructively testing a body of material having a surface in contact with a gaseous environment (e.g. air, nitrogen, or inert gas), that comprise (A) the step of (and means for) directing to a region at the surface of the body a pulse of laser radiation having sufficient energy density and sufficiently long wavelength to initiate in the adjacent gas a blast wave that impinges on the surface and provides an ultrasonic wave in the body, and (B) the further step of (and means for) detecting a portion of the ultrasonic wave that has been affected by the body. The radiation directing means typically comprises a laser that provides a pulse having a duration of about 0.01 to 10 microseconds, and means for focusing the pulse to provide an energy density of at least about 5 Joules per square centimeter. The detecting means typically comprises an electromagnetic or capacitive transducer.

Abstract: A method for producing metal flake of small length-to-width ratio or small length-to-thickness ratio directly from a pool or like source of molten metal or molten inorganic compound, or from an unconfined drop of molten metal or an unconfined drop of molten inorganic compound having a surface tension and viscosity similar to that of molten metal, consisting of forming such products by the application of a rotating, generally circular serrated edge, heat-extracting disk-like member to the surface of the pool of molten material so as to form the material into discrete flake particles by extracting the flake particles from the supply of molten material; and controlling the final shape of the product by the physical shape of the member, the temperature and material composition of the melt, as well as the velocity of the member in contact with the melt.

Abstract: The effect of earth gravity on the self assembly of tropocollagen molecules into collagen fibrils and on the aggregation of fibrils into collagen gels has been found to be surprisingly detrimental to the preparation of desirable biomaterials. Chemically and physically uniform biomaterials for use in repair or replacement of damaged or diseased human tissue and organs are prepared by otherwise conventional reconstitution of soluble tropocollagen carried out, however, under less than one gravity, preferably under zero gravity. Surprisingly better properties of the collagen aggregate suggest that improved biomaterials may be prepared from the uniform gels.

Abstract: An improved microbial insecticide composition, and methods for the production and utilization thereof, are disclosed. The disclosed composition comprises a microbial insect pathogen of viral, bacterial, or fungal origin which is susceptible to sunlight-induced inactivation embedded in a coacervate microbead which is comprised of a nucleic acid, typically RNA, and a proteinaceous material, whereby the microbead structure itself effectively shields the agent from sunlight-induced inactivation. The microbead is typically stabilized by chemical crosslinking.