Abstract: A fuel cell and a battery with a reinforced polymeric ion exchange membrane are disclosed. The membrane comprises (a) a porous support layer, preferably of fluorine-containing polymer, and (b) an ion exchange resin, preferably a fluorinated ion exchange layer(s) supported on one or both sides of the porous support layer. The total thickness of the membrane is preferably from 20 to 500 .mu.m. The membrane has low fuel crossover, high electric conductivity and high mechanical strength. The membrane may especially be used in a direct methanol fuel cell.

Abstract: A collet for retaining a work piece comprises a plurality of wedge segments, and each of the wedge segments has inner and outer surfaces which, when the segments are assembled, form a collet having a cylindrical bore and a frustonconical outer surface, and the segments are retained in aligned relationship within a nut attachable to the machine.

Abstract: Method and device to control between rolling stands the drawing of the rolled stock (14) in a segment (10) of a rolling line, the segment (10) possibly comprising two conventional rolling stands with or without an interposed drawing unit (19), a conventional rolling stand and a drawing unit (19), a rolling stand and a fast rolling block (11a), two fast rolling blocks (11a, 11b) with an intermediate thermomechanical treatment or another type of combination of rolling units, there being included a possible intake drawing unit (12) and a possible discharge drawing unit (13) associated with a shears (20), the method including the measuring of the drawing action applied to the rolled stock (14) in the segment between stands comprised between two rolling units, one upstream (11a) and the other downstream (11b) and/or between a rolling unit and the relative drawing unit (19).

Abstract: A delivery lance which includes a pistol handgrip formed in one piece with a delivery tube, at the base of which is provided a valve seat for a valve which opens and closes the lance. The pistol handgrip is internally hollow and closed by a side cover which, together with the handgrip, provides access to the articulation, support and guide elements for a pressurized water feed tube, for a valve body telescopically mounted at the tube end, for an operating lever or trigger causing the valve body to undergo translational movements against a spring, and for a locking device for the lance operating lever or trigger.

Abstract: A patient monitoring system measures the concentration of a particular substance in a patient's tissue, blood, or other bodily fluids, provides an indication of the rate of change of such concentration, and determines whether the measured concentration and rate of change are within certain preset limits. If not, an audible and/or visual alarm signal is generated. The patient monitoring system includes at least one enzymatic sensor adapted to be inserted into the patient, where it produces sensor signals related to the concentration of the substance being measured. The sensor signals are delivered through a suitable interconnect cable to a monitor. In one embodiment, the interconnect cable includes a contactless connector that electrically isolates the enzymatic sensor from the monitor, and reduces the number of conductors required to interface with a plurality of sensors.

Abstract: Nucleic acid sequences, particularly DNA sequences, coding for all or part of the high molecular weight subunit of microsomal triglyceride transfer protein, expression vectors containing the DNA sequences, host cells containing the expression vectors, and methods utilizing these materials. The invention also concerns polypeptide molecules comprising all or part of the high molecular weight subunit of microsomal triglyceride transfer protein, and methods for producing these polypeptide molecules. The invention additionally concerns novel methods for preventing, stabilizing or causing regression of atherosclerosis and therapeutic agents having such activity. The invention concerns further novel methods for lowering serum liquid levels and therapeutic agents having such activity.

Abstract: A bowstring nock has a first half section provided with a first bowstring half groove extending in a first direction and a first fastener hole extending in a second direction, perpendicular to the first direction; a second half section provided with a second bowstring half groove extending in the first direction and cooperable with the first half groove to grip a bowstring therebetween, and a second fastener hole adapted for alignment with the first fastener hole to receive a fastener and thereby secure the first and second half sections together. One of the first and second half sections also includes a tab extending in the first direction a distance greater than a length dimension of the first and second half grooves, to assist in orienting a peep sight device mounted on the bowstring, above the nock.

Abstract: A receiver carrier synchronization apparatus and method for carrier synchronization with a received signal having a known data pattern preamble uses a "punctured" preamble for making carrier synchronization estimates thereby reducing the number of receivers required. The known data pattern preamble of the received signal is processed with a local reference signal and a differentiated replica of the known data pattern preamble to generate an error signal. The error signal is selectively sampled in the time domain in accordance with a puncture scheme, and the sampled error signal is used to generate the local reference signal in a closed loop. The received signal is processed with the local reference signal and a replica of the known data pattern preamble to generate a synchronization estimate signal.

Abstract: A flash spin pack for a flash-spinning apparatus is provided in which the pack includes a spin mixture inlet, that communicates with a spin mixture passage, that discharges through a spinning orifice that opens into a slot defined by two opposing faces of the body of the spin pack. The slot is 0.25 mm to 7 mm wide proximate the spinning orifice outlet, 0.25 mm to 10 mm at the slot outlet, and the distance from the orifice outlet to the slot outlet is 1.5 mm to 40 mm. The spin pack may have five or more spinning orifices that each discharge into a different slot so configured.

Abstract: Solution precipitation processes for preparing antimony doped tin oxide having improved volumetric efficiency and improved wash efficiency involving use of concentrated base and metal salt solutions are disclosed.

Abstract: A consumable package for use in melt-processing operation comprises a container and a melt-processable product such as polymers, elastomers, or additives. The container is formed from a film made from a random ionomer copolymer comprising of ethylene and 20-45 wt % of an unsaturated monocarboxylic acid, the copolymer being neutralized with a metal ion such as lithium, sodium, magnesium, or zinc. The film has a low melting point and a stiffness of greater than 400 megapascals.

Abstract: A compact, efficient reactor for the photocatalyzed conversion of contaminants in a fluid stream. The reactor includes a photocatalyst disposed on a support structure with a light source in optical proximity to the support structure to activate the photocatalyst. In one embodiment of the invention, the support structure includes multiple non-intersecting fins oriented parallel to the general flow direction of the fluid stream to provide a reactor with low pressure drop and adequate mass transfer of the contaminant to the photocatalyst disposed on the surface of the fins. The light source includes one or more lamps that may penetrate the fins to provide efficient illumination of the photocatalyst. The fins may be flat or pleated. In an alternative embodiment, the fins are pleated and composed of a porous material. These fins are oriented so that the fluid stream flows through the fins.

Abstract: Antimony doped tin oxide powder having an open pore structure wherein the pore volume is at least 0.005 cc/g for any mean pore diameter within the range of 0.1 to 8 micrometers is disclosed.

Abstract: A competitive strategy game playable by two or more players. The illustrated game includes a board defining a plurality of channels arranged adjacent to one another. Each channel has a plurality of positions arranged along the channel. Each player is provided with a set of player pieces, the player pieces of each set being visually distinguishable from the pieces of the other set. For example, the pieces of each set may be difference colors. The players take turns adding one or more of their pieces to selected channels. The channels each include structure to guide the process along the channel. The channels and pieces are proportioned and arranged to that when a piece is added to an already occupied position in a channel, the displaced piece that was in that position is shifted to an adjacent position in the channel, which in turn shifts additional pieces in the channel to new positions.

Abstract: Perfluoroelastomer compositions of improved processability are provided which have reduced levels of ionized or ionizable polymer endgroups.

Abstract: A compound of the formula C.sub.6 F.sub.12 --CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 --SO.sub.3 M, wherein M is a cation having a valence of 1 is used as a dispersing agent in the aqueous dispersion polymerization of tetrafluoroethylene with at least one other perfluorinated copolymerizable monomer.

Abstract: Ionomers based on ethylene/unsaturated carboxylic acid copolymers are modified with from 0.5 to 15 weight percent adipic acid. The modified-ionomers have improved melt flow and melt processing behavior over unmodified ionomers having a comparable level of neutralization of acid groups present. Certain mechanical properties are improved, particularly stiffness, abrasion resistance and low temperature izod impact.

Abstract: Fast curing perfluoroelastomer compositions are provided which comprise a perfluoroelastomer having a plurality of nitrile groups and a plurality of carboxyl-containing groups, carboxylate-containing groups, carboxamide groups, or mixtures thereof; and an organotin curing agent.

Abstract: Fluorinated imides useful for imparting repellency of low surface tension fluids to thermoplastic polymers of formulae ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 is F(CF.sub.2).sub.x --(CH.sub.2).sub.m, or F(CF.sub.2).sub.x SO.sub.2 N(R.sub.5)(CH.sub.2)p wherein x is from about 4 to about 20, m is from about 2 to about 6, p is from 1 to about 12, and R.sub.5 is an alkyl radical of from 1 to about 4 carbons;R.sub.2 is a linear, branched or cyclic alkylene or poly(oxyalkylene) hydrocarbon group having from about 2 to about 15 carbons;R.sub.3 is selected from the group consisting of F(CF.sub.2).sub.x --(CH.sub.2).sub.m, F(CF.sub.2).sub.x --(CH.sub.2).sub.m --OC(O)--(CH.sub.2).sub.n, and F(CF.sub.2).sub.x SO.sub.2 N(R.sub.5)(CH.sub.2).sub.p OC(O)(CH.sub.2).sub.nwherein x is from about 4 to about 20, m is from about 2 to about 6, n is about 2 to about 12, p is from 1 to about 12, and R.sub.5 is an alkyl radical of from 1 to about 4 carbons;R.sub.4 is an alkyl or alkenyl group of from about 4 to about 20 carbons, andR.sub.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions of pentafluoropropane and a fluorinated propane having from 1 to 5 fluorine atoms; a hydrocarbon having from 1 to 5 carbon atoms; 1,1,1,4,4,4-hexafluorobutane, (CF.sub.3).sub.2 CHCH.sub.3, dimethyl ether; or 1,1,1,2,3,4,4,5,5,5-decafluoropentane. The compositions, which may be azeotropic or azeotrope-like, may be used as refrigerants, cleaning agents, expansion agents for polyolefins and polyurethanes, aerosol propellants, refrigerants, heat transfer media, gaseous dielectrics, fire extinguishing agents, power cycle working fluids, polymerization media, particulate removal fluids, carrier fluids, buffing abrasive agents or displacement drying agents.