Abstract: A method for evaluating the solubility of a crystalline substance in a polymer comprises a) providing at least one sample of an intimate crystalline substance/polymer mixture at a predetermined crystalline substance concentration; b) annealing the sample at a constant temperature Ta for a period of time; c) heating the annealed sample while recording the heat flux over time by DSC; d) identifying a DSC dissolution endotherm in the recorded heat flux, if any; e) considering the crystalline substance concentration as a concentration above the crystalline substance solubility in the polymer at temperature Ta when there is a DSC dissolution endotherm identified, and considering the crystalline substance concentration as a concentration less than or equal to the crystalline substance solubility in the polymer at temperature Ta when there is no DSC dissolution endotherm identified.

Abstract: An air injection technique to evacuate and prevent from settling zebra mussels and other encrustaceous organisms from underwater vertical, horizontal or angular surfaces. Such surfaces located in fresh or salt water may be part of critical underwater components such as metering and monitoring devices.

Abstract: A method for determining concentrations of solutes such as alcohols, amino acids, carbohydrates, calcium, etc. in water solution. The open-circuit potential shift of an oxidatively pretreated nickel electrode in alkaline solution is used.

Abstract: A metal matrix composite consisting of aluminum silicon alloy reinforced with graphite fibers exhibits improved mechanical and physical properties when the graphite fibers are subjected to external cooling.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the permittivity of a sample is disclosed. The method includes applying an AC electrical signal in the microwave frequency range via a coaxial probe having an end position near the sample and measuring the reflection coefficient of the sample. The complex permittivity of the sample is determined from an admittance parameter of the sample/probe combination and a system constant. The system constant is determined by measuring the reflection coefficients of four standards having known complex permittivity. The admittance parameter of the sample/probe combination is determined from the admittance parameters of two standards/probe combinations and the measured reflection coefficients of the sample and the four standards. The admittance parameters of the two standard/probe combinations are determined from the known complex permittivities of the two standards and the system constant.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for imaging of an atomic environment are disclosed. The method includes detecting and measuring the intensity of a diffuse low energy electron diffraction pattern. The diffraction pattern may be formed by directing a beam of electrons against the surface of a sample, or by directing a beam of X-rays against the surface of a sample. The diffraction pattern may be energy-filtered to obtain a diffraction pattern corresponding to the lower energy electrons emitted by the surface. Data corresponding to reconstructed amplitudes of a waveform is generated by operating on the intensity data. The data corresponding to the reconstructed amplitude is capable of being displayed as a variety of slices or two-dimensional planes of the three-dimensional image of an atomic environment, and is capable of being displayed holographically.

Abstract: A process for producing a copper alloy composite containing dispersed graphite. The process comprises locating compacted uncoated graphite in a preheated die, pouring molten copper alloy over the compacted graphite and infiltrating the compacted graphite with the molten copper alloy.

Abstract: A tamper-evident end closure for dispensers, including a hermetically sea base, a rotor having a normally occurring unrestrained non-flat shape, and a rotatable connection between the rotor and the base to hold the rotor on the base in a substantially flat condition so it can rotate. The rotatable connection is achieved by employing an annular attachment ring, formed on the rotor snap-fit into an annular groove molded into the base. The annular attachment ring is connected to the rotor by a frangible web, which will break or tear when an attempt is made to separate the rotor from the base. Because the rotor is formed with a normally occurring non-flat shape, tearing or breaking of the frangible web will allow a portion of the rotor, normally held by the attachment ring, to spring or bend toward its natural shape. This unrestrained portion provides striking evidence of the tampering attempt.

Abstract: This invention is an end closure assembly for a container. The end closure assembly comprises an end wall member for closing the end of the container and at least one flow-through aperture in the end wall member. A closure device operating with the end wall member has a first and second portion. The first portion is slidably operable to cover and uncover the flow-through aperture. The second portion is pivotally operable to lock the closure device in a fixed position.