Abstract: A process is provided for producing glycolic acid from formaldehyde and hydrogen cyanide. More specifically, heat-treated formaldehyde and hydrogen cyanide are reacted to produce glycolonitrile having low concentrations of impurities. The glycolonitrile is subsequently converted to an aqueous solution of ammonium glycolate using an enzyme catalyst having nitrilase activity derived from Acidovorax facilis 72W (ATCC 57746). Glycolic acid is recovered in the form of the acid or salt from the aqueous ammonium glycolate solution using a variety of methods described herein.

Abstract: An implant for insertion between a pair of spaced vertebrae has two interfitted parts relatively shiftable along an axis and having outer ends turned axially away from each other and each formed with an axially outwardly directed part-spherical convex surface. Formations such as a screwthread engaged between the parts can axially shift them relative to each other and lock their axial positions relative to each other. Respective L-shaped mounting brackets each have one leg extending transversely across the axis and formed with a part-spherical concave seat complementary to and fitting with a respective one of the part outer ends and another leg extending generally axially outward. The brackets are adapted to be fitted to the vertebrae. Fasteners secure each of the other legs to the respective vertebra.

Abstract: A method of imparting oil repellency to flexible, fibrous, nonwoven substrates comprising contacting the substrate with an amphoteric fluorochemical copolymer composition prepared from polymerization of monomers in the following percentages by weight: (a) from about 60% to about 90% of a fluorinated (meth)acrylate monomer of Formula 1 which is Rf-Q-CO—CR?CH2, (b) from about 10% to about 25% of an amine substituted (meth)acrylate or (meth)acylamide monomer of Formula 2 which is CH2?C(R)COZ(CH2)q(CHR)rNR2R3, and (c) from about 1% to about 15% of a substituted (meth)acrylic acid monomer of Formula 3 which is CH2=CR(R5)e—COOH.

Abstract: Disclosed are films obtained from blends of ethylene copolymers with organic acid salt-modified potassium ionomeric copolymers. The films of the present invention can be welded using RF energy.

Abstract: Paste-extruded sulfonamide herbicide compositions having improved spray equipment clean-out properties are made by preparing a mixture comprising a sulfonamide herbicide free acid, at least about 50 equivalent % of an inorganic base relative to the sulfonamide herbicide free acid and sufficient water to form an extrudable past, extruding the mixture to form an extrudate, and drying the extrudate.

Abstract: In an electro-phoretic display and a fabricating method thereof, the electro-phoretic display is fabricated by the steps: forming a plurality of pixel electrodes arranged in matrix form on a first substrate; disposing a plurality of electro-phoretic displaying units including a plurality of colored charged particles, wherein each pixel electrode is corresponding to at least one of the electro-phoretic displaying units having the colored charged particles with the same color; forming a transparent electrode on a second substrate; and disposing the second substrate on the electro-phoretic displaying units to positioning the transparent electrode between the second substrate and the electro-phoretic displaying units. The electro-phoretic display can select a part of the pixel electrodes for being driven according to the color of the image being displayed, so that the electro-phoretic display may have an improved chromatic performance.

Abstract: An imaging lens system with two lenses is provided. The imaging lens system with two lenses, along an optical axis from an object side to an image side, includes an aperture stop; a first lens having positive refractive power and being a plano-convex lens with a convex surface on the image side; and a second lens having negative refractive power and being a meniscus lens with a concave surface on the object side and a convex surface on the image side.

Abstract: This invention provides a process for improving the field emission of an electron field emitter comprised of an acicular emitting substance such as acicular carbon, an acicular semiconductor, an acicular metal or a mixture thereof, comprising applying a force to the surface of the electron field emitter wherein the force results in the removal of a portion of the electron field emitter thereby forming a new surface of the electron field emitter.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a photoactive device comprising an anode, a cathode, and a photoactive layer, which device further comprises an electron transport and/or anti-quenching layer which minimizes both electron transfer quenching and energy transfer quenching of the photoactive layer.

Abstract: A process is provided for the preparation of 1,3-diamino-4,6-dinitrobenzene by amination of 1,3-dihalo-4,6-dinitrobenzene. The presence of water advantageously results in a highly pure product, free or essentially free of glycol ether impurities.

Abstract: Hydrotalcites containing the anion of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid are partially or fully thermally decomposed to provide catalysts useful for the conversion of ethanol and hydrogen to a reaction product comprising 1-butanol.

Abstract: A yarn, fabric, and garment suitable for use in arc and flame protection and having improved flash fire protection, consisting essentially of (a) 50 to 60 weight percent meta-aramid fiber having a degree of crystallinity of at least 20%; (b) 31 to 39 weight percent modacrylic fiber; and (c) 5 to 15 weight percent para-aramid fiber; said percentages on the basis of components (a), (b), and (c). In some embodiments, 1 to 3 weight percent of the meta-aramid fiber is replaced with an antistatic fiber comprising carbon or metal with the proviso that at least 50 weight percent meta-aramid fiber is maintained. Garments made from the yarns provide thermal protection such that a wearer would experience less than a 65 percent predicted body burn when exposed to a flash fire exposure of 4 seconds per ASTM F1930, while maintaining a Category 2 arc rating per ASTM F1959 and NFPA 70E.

Abstract: A cannula assembly for injecting implant material into a bone, including an inner cannula defining a central conduit including a first proximal port in communication with the central conduit, an outer cannula surrounding the inner cannula to define a peripheral conduit, and a connector interconnecting the cannulas and detachable from at least one of the cannulas, and at least one of the connector, the first cannula and the second cannula including a second proximal port in communication with the peripheral conduit defined along a direction different than a longitudinal axis of the first and second cannulas.

Abstract: The invention provides a non-stick coating for glass cookware that has good adhesion and stain resistance while maintaining the abrasion resistance of the non-stick coating. The non-stick coating comprises a base coat that contains fluoropolymer and colloidal silica and an overcoat comprising one or more polymer layers containing inorganic filler film hardener.

Abstract: A yarn, fabric, and garment suitable for use in arc and flame protection comprising aramid fiber and modacrylic fiber wherein the modacrylic fiber has less than 1.5 percent antimony and is preferably antimony-free. In one embodiment, the yarn, fabric, and/or garments consist essentially of (a) 50 to 80 weight percent meta-aramid fiber having a degree of crystallinity of at least 20%, (b) 10 to 40 weight percent modacrylic fiber that is antimony-free, (c) 5 to 20 weight percent para-aramid fiber, and (d) 1 to 3 weight percent antistatic fiber, based on the total weight of components (a), (b), (c) and (d). In some embodiments, garments made from the yarns provide thermal protection such that a wearer would experience less than a 65 percent predicted body burn when exposed to a flash fire exposure of 4 seconds per ASTM F1930, while maintaining a Category 2 arc rating per ASTM F1959 and NFPA 70E.

Abstract: A flat lighting device includes a layer arrangement, anode and cathode contact regions. The layer arrangement includes an anode layer, a cathode layer, and an organic light-emitting layer arranged between the anode and cathode layers, the layer arrangement having a flat shape which is laterally bounded by an edge region. The anode contact regions contact the anode layer and are implemented along the edge region. The cathode contact regions contact the cathode layer and are implemented along the edge region. The flat shape has a rotational invariance toward rotation by discrete angles. The anode and cathode contact regions may be contacted from one side of the flat shape of the layer arrangement and are arranged to be laterally distributed over the edge region such that the lateral distribution of the anode and cathode contact regions is maintained upon rotation of the layer arrangement by the discrete angles.

Abstract: Crosslinkable polymers and crosslinked fluoropolymers are prepared from selected fluorinated dienes and monomers containing Br and I. Also disclosed are proton conductive membranes of these crosslinked fluoropolymers.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention includes an RF fob with an embedded identifier. The fob transmits a signal that is received by one of a plurality of games which recognizes the identifier and thus identifies the player who holds the fob. Several discrete remote gaming locations are connected to a central location where player information is stored and maintained. When a player scans his fob at a game at any remote location connected to the central location, the identifier is transmitted to the central location and player information is transmitted to the game. The player can begin play, accumulating points on his/her account reflective of his or her gaming activity. The player can also redeem points for cash at the game itself without third-party assistance.

Abstract: A system which uses available waste acid process streams from hydrometallurgical extraction processes as absorption media for the direct production of leach grade acid solutions for return to the hydrometallurgical processing circuit for use in liberating metals from metal-bearing materials. The produced acid may have a concentration in the range suitable for processing of metal-bearing materials.

Abstract: A portable gaming unit for playing an associated game comprises a housing and a base. The housing includes a display. An electronics assembly is mounted in the housing for controlling input/output functions of the gaming unit. A pivot joint pivotably mounts the housing to the base. An easel is pivotably mounted to one of the housing and the base. The easel in a use orientation braces the housing against the base to enable the housing to maintain an acute angle in relation to a plane of the base. In a transport orientation, the easel allows the housing to fold against the base. The easel in the transport orientation serves as a handle for the gaming unit.