Abstract: A liquid phase process is disclosed for producing halogenated alkane adducts of the formula: CAR1R2CBR3R4 (where A, B, R1, R2, R3, and R4 are as defined in the specification) which involves contacting a corresponding halogenated alkane, AB, with a corresponding olefin, CR1R2═C3R4 in a dinitrile or cyclic carbonate ester solvent which divides the reaction mixture into two liquid phases and in the presence of a catalyst system containing: (i) at least one catalyst selected from monovalent and divalent copper; and optionally (ii) a promoter selected from aromatic or aliphatic heterocyclic compounds which contain at least one carbon-nitrogen double bond in the heterocyclic ring. When hydrochlorofluorocarbons are formed, the chlorine content may be reduced by reacting the hydrochlorofluorocarbons with HF. New compounds disclosed include CF3CF2CCl2CH2CCl3, CF3CCl2CH2CH2Cl and CF3CCl2CH2CHClF. These compounds are useful as intermediates for producing hydrofluorocarbons.

Abstract: An optical device is provided for processing a digital optical signal in parallel and in free space. A device consistent with the invention provides for inputting a digital optical signal in guided propagation, converting the digital optical signal to n digital optical signals in guided propagation, and converting the n digital optical signals to n digital optical signals in free space. In addition, the invention provides for selecting a bit preselected from the at least one temporal series of n bits of each of the n digital optical signals, modifying optically, at least one bit of the spatial figure of the n bits, and outputting the at least one bit of the spatial figure of n bits.

Abstract: A highly selective process is disclosed for the hydrogenolysis of 2,2-dichlorohexafluoropropane (i.e., CFC-216aa or CF3CCl2CF3) to 2,2-dihydrohexafluoropropane (i.e., HFC-236fa or CF3CH2CF3) and 2-chloro-2-hydrohexafluoropropane (i.e., 226da or CF3CHClCF3). The process involves reacting the starting material with hydrogen at an elevated temperature of about 300° C. or less in the presence of a catalyst containing a catalytically effective amount of palladium supported on a support of fluorinated alumina and/or aluminum fluoride.

Abstract: A multi-channel optical telecommunication system and method for transmitting optical signals having distinct wavelengths. Spectral selection is provided for the optical signals to add or drop signals of predetermined wavelengths. The signals are divided into at least two series of different wavelengths. The signals of each series are dropped or signals of corresponding wavelengths are added, and the signals are then combined.

Abstract: The invention concerns a process for melt forming conductive compositions comprising ionomers into multi-layer electrochemical cells suitable for use in electrochemical applications such as batteries, fuel cells, electrolysis cells, ion exchange membranes, sensors, electrochemical capacitors, and modified electrodes.

Abstract: A wound roll suitable as a packaging material contains in order a release coating, a flexible polyester film, an adhesive, a flexible polymeric film support and a cold seal adhesive.

Abstract: Silylated organic gels can be prepared by the removing substantially all of the water from polyhydroxy benzene-formaldehyde gels, followed by silylation. These silylated organic gel compositions comprise from about 0.01% to about 25% by weight silicon.

Abstract: Unique DNA sequences characteristic of fermentation-related microorganisms are provided which are useful as primers in PCR-based analysis for identification of fermentation-related microorganisms

Abstract: A thermoplastic polymer composition comprising (a) 50-90 wt. % of a polymer blend comprising (i) 10-40 wt. % polypropylene (ii) 15-50 wt. % uncrosslinked ethylene propylene copolymer rubber having an ethylene content of 60-80 wt %, (iii) 20-60 wt. % of an ionomeric copolymer of ethylene and an &agr;,&bgr;-unsaturated C3-C8 carboxylic acid, and (iv) 0.1-5 wt. % of a copolymer of ethylene and glycidyl acrylate or glycidyl methacrylate, (b) 10-40 wt. % inorganic filler and (c) 0-15 wt. % of an uncrosslinked ethylene propylene copolymer rubber having an ethylene content of 60-80 wt. % grafted with 0.01-5 wt. % of an &agr;,&bgr;-unsaturated carboxylic acid or an anhydride thereof.

Abstract: Hydrogen cyanide is produced by reacting ammonia and a hydrocarbon gas in the presence of a platinum-group-metal catalyst while the catalyst is heated by induction heating at a frequency of 0.5 to 30 MHz.

Abstract: High-melting polyamide resin compositions having improved mechanical properties, and molded articles for electrical and electronic components made using the same. The high-melting polyamide resin compositions comprise an aromatic polyamide having a melting point of 280° C. to 340° C. and glycidyl isocyanurate, a novolak-epoxy, or mixtures thereof.

Abstract: A stable partially oriented poly(trimethylene terephthalate) yarn suitable for use in subsequent drawing and/or draw-texturing operations characterized by an elongation to break of at least 110%, and a process for false-twist texturing a partially oriented poly(trimethylene terephthalate) yarn are disclosed.

Abstract: Fluoropolymer compositions containing melt-fabricable functionalized fluoropolymer and liquid crystal polymer have enhanced adhesion to metal even at low concentrations of liquid crystal polymer.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for testing the bond strength of materials such as a coating (101) on a substrate (100) wherein a stub (102) is placed on the coating (101) with a light curable adhesive (114) therebetween, the stub having a threaded section extending upwardly and being made of light transparent material, or a material that is at least partly transparent, a high intensity light (111) is positioned over the stub and operated to irradiate the adhesive through the stub to cure the adhesive, after which a force is applied to the stub in a direction normal to the coating tending to separate the coating from the substrate and is measured to determine the amount of force required. The apparatus includes a stand off ring (23) positioned around the stub for supporting cylinder housing (1) in spaced relationship to the coating, the housing having a cavity therein formed by inner (7) and outer (3) walls and a lower plate for receiving piston (9) therein retained by reaction plate (14).

Abstract: Free radically polymerizable monomers may be polymerized using as an initiator a combination of a selected arylsulfonyl halide or alkylsulfonyl halide and a selected compound containing a lower valent transition metal atom. These polymerizations are sometimes living polymerizations, allowing control of polymer structure such as producing block copolymers and/or polymers with narrow molecular weight distributions. Useful monomers include styrenes and (meth)acrylate esters and amides. The products are useful as molding resins, for glazing, as film forming binders in coating compositions and have numerous other uses.

Abstract: A melt-mixed blend of polyamide and grafted fluoropolymer having polar functionality exhibits surprisingly low permeability and can bond to fluoropolymer or polyamide without an intervening adhesive layer. The blend is useful as a component of laminates, such as fuel hose.

Abstract: A small diameter flexible electrode designed for subcutaneous in vivo amperometric monitoring of glucose is described. The electrode is designed to allow “one-point” in vivo calibration, i.e., to have zero output current at zero glucose concentration, even in the presence of other electroreactive species of serum or blood. The electrode is preferably three or four-layered, with the layers serially deposited within a recess upon the tip of a polyamide insulated gold wire. A first glucose concentration-to-current transducing layer is overcoated with an electrically insulating and glucose flux limiting layer (second layer) on which, optionally, an immobilized interference-eliminating horseradish peroxidase based film is deposited (third layer). An outer (fourth) layer is biocompatible.

Abstract: A heated substrate is dipped into a fluidized bed containing particles of polymer to coat the substrate. The coating can subsequently be leveled (and cured if thermosetting) by heating the coated substrate above the melting point of the polymer. The process can be employed to provide desirable properties such as corrosion resistance and aesthetic qualities to the substrate, and to apply very thin coatings.