Abstract: This invention relates to a polymer precursor dispersion for use in making a polymer that is a solid at room temperature and further relates to a method of making same where the dispersion comprises a polymer precursor comprising an addition monomer, a condensation monomer, a prepolymer, or a polymer modifier and 0.01 to 50 weight percent of a micropulp having a volume average length of from 0.01 to 100 micrometers.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for purchasing telephone calling card minutes and for conducting other forms of electronic commerce. In one embodiment, a method for conducting electronic commerce includes providing a kiosk in a publicly accessible location, and displaying one or more transaction options to a user at the kiosk. The method may further include receiving a transaction selection from the user corresponding to one or more of the displayed transaction options, determining an amount due from the user in response to the transaction selection, and receiving funds from the user. In response to receiving the funds, the kiosk may dispense a redeemable voucher to the user, including a redeemable voucher for any amount paid in excess of the amount due.

Abstract: Process of making polypeptide fibers including the steps of contacting a polypeptide with a solution of formic acid a divalent metal ion salt, or contacting a decrystallized polypeptide with formic acid having a water content less than 3 wt % and concentrating the resulting solution to a polypeptide concentration greater than 10 wt %.

Abstract: Corona resistant, high temperature polymeric materials are disclosed which are generally useful in high voltage wire insulation or similar type applications. The materials contain composite fillers having an organic component with excellent dispersion properties in certain organic solvents, depending upon the particular embodiment selected, and an inorganic ceramic oxide component generally having excellent corona resistance properties.

Abstract: Described is a process to synthesize nano-size Zeolite A from an amorphous gel precursor which can be synthesized via reaction of NaAlO2, NaOH, and tetraethoxysilane (TEOS). Zeolite A with particle sizes of ˜150 nm was made by transformation of the amorphous precursor in (CH3)4NOH solution with Zeolite A seeding. The nano-sized Zeolite A can be part of processes for making non-phosphate detergent where the as-synthesized Zeolite A used as builders, for making thin films for separation and/or catalysis, for making secondary ordered patterns.

Abstract: Polyester carpets of poly(trimethylene terephthalate) are disclosed which have excellent stain-resistance, texture retention and resistance to crushing. The bulked continuous filament yarn used to make the carpets and the process for making the yarns are also disclosed.

Abstract: A conveying device for conveying workpieces, for example in a production line, the conveying device including at least one driving line divided into several sections, and each section being able to convey workpieces independently from other sections. At least one central drive is provided which drives the section for a conveying of the workpieces via a coupling.

Abstract: A latch assembly having a latch housing and handle that are substantially or near flush with the surrounding outer surface of the door in which they are mounted when the latch assembly is in its closed position. The latch assembly utilizes a locking cylinder as a push-button mechanism in order to release at least a portion of the handle, which then pivots to an extended position where it can be grasped and turned by an operator. A spindle and latching pawl are slidably connected to the handle and bound by a camming surface in the latch housing so that the spindle and latching pawl moves both axially and rotationally at the same time so that, upon closing, the pawl will cinch down on the frame to create a tight closure between the door and frame.

Abstract: A heat treatment chamber (30) is provided comprising a treatment region containing a charge (5) of compound material comprising a plurality of n atomic species, each atomic species being associated with at least one gas species. The chamber (30) is placed in a furnace (7). The chamber has a gas permeable barrier, constituted by a plug (4) and wadding (6), which partially encloses the treatment region. The barrier serves as an effusive hole to inhibit, but not prevent, gas vapour release, thereby to elevate the gas vapour pressure in the treatment region. Application of inert gas through a valve (8) is also used to increase background pressure in the treatment region during heat treatment. The elevated gas pressures present in the treatment region during treatment are measurable in an absorption cell (3) adjacent to the treatment region. It is thus possible to monitor the gas pressures during heat treatment and thereby stop the heat treatment once a desired charge stoichiometry is achieved.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for producing 5-methyl-N-(methyl aryl)-2-pyrrolidone, 5-methyl-N-(methyl cycloalkyl)-2-pyrrolidone and 5-methyl-N-alkyl-2-pyrrolidone by reductive amination of levulinic acid esters with aryl or alkyl cyano compounds utilizing a metal catalyst, which is optionally supported.

Abstract: A gasdynamic arrangement for a multi-stage centrifugal turbomachine, such as a two-stage compressor, comprising two coaxial impellers assembled on a common shaft with axial intake ports and radial peripheral discharge zones, the intake ports of the two impellers preferably pointing away from each other; a cylindrical vessel concentrically housing the impellers and the intake duct; a partition wall between the two impellers having a first and a second group of apertures; a first array of curved ducts conveying the flow from the first impeller discharge zone to the first group of apertures in the partition wall, the flow further passing through a chamber in the vessel to the intake port of the second impeller, and a second array of curved ducts conveying the flow from the second impeller discharge zone to the second group of apertures in the partition wall, the flow further going to the discharge port, the two flows bypassing each other in opposing directions at the partition wall.

Abstract: Liquid crystalline polymer having repeat units derived from 4,4?-biphenol, terephthalic acid, 2,6-naphthalenedicarboxylic acid, and 4-hydroxybenzoic acid in a limited compositional range have melting points of 400° C. or more, and are useful for molded articles and for films, particularly for uses where good high temperature resistance is needed.

Abstract: An automatic tuning system for a magnetic field generating tuned circuit includes a processor configured to maintain the resonant frequency of a tuned circuit equal to a reference frequency. The tuned circuit is driven by a power amplifier whose output provides an amplified signal at the reference frequency. The tuned circuit includes a magnetic field generating inductor and a bank of individually switchable capacitors controlled by the processor capable of adding and removing the respective capacitances to and from the tuned circuit. The inductor includes a Faraday shield to shield the tuned circuit from the influence of electric fields. A power sense circuit monitors the power delivered by the power amplifier to the tuned circuit and the processor sequentially switches the capacitors in a binary progression format to achieve maximum power delivery indicative of conforming the resonant frequency of the tuned circuit to the reference frequency.

Abstract: The invention relates to an imaging NMR method as well a NMR device in which a to-be-examined object is exposed to a stationary polarization field B0 and to an electromagnetic alternating field, and nuclear resonant processes which are detected as test signals and are visually represented are induced in said object. The invention is characterized in that said stationary magnetic polarization field is provided with at least one spatially limited volume region inside said object, said spatially limited volume region having a greater magnetic flux density than the remaining region of said object so that said nuclear resonant processes are induced solely in said spatially limited volume region, said test signals from said nuclear resonant processes induced inside said limited volume region are detected, and the spatial position of said limited volume region (4) is changed at least once in a controlled manner and said test signals are detected again from said positionally modified volume region.

Abstract: A tool assembly in which a tool is releasably mounted on a tool holder. The tool is supported by the tool holder at two spaced apart regions which are formed independently therefore alignment between the axes of the tool and tool holder does not rely on tight manufacturing tolerances.

Abstract: The object of the invention is to create high-tensile molded bodies that are made of titanium alloys and are malleable at room temperature and that, compared with the metallic glasses, have macroscopic plasticity and work hardening, without other properties, such as breaking resistance, elastic elongation or corrosion behavior being thus greatly impaired.

Abstract: Rylene derivatives of the general formula I where the variables have the following meanings: R is hydrogen or substituted or unsubstituted C1-C30-alkyl, aryl or hetaryl; R1 is hydrogen or bromine; R2 is hydrogen or C1-C6-alkyl; R3 is hydrogen, C1-C18-alkyl or substituted or unsubstituted aryl or hetaryl; and n is 2 or 3.

Abstract: Methods and systems for managing configuration settings on remote entertainment devices are described. The method may include: storing values for a first subset of configuration settings from the set of configuration settings, each of the values for the first subset having an associated precedence level; storing values for a second subset of configuration settings, each of the values for the second subset having an associated precedence level; and transmitting a third subset of configuration setting values containing values from the first and second subset of configuration settings to a remote entertainment device.

Abstract: An optical image device, having a lens module, an IR cut coating and an image sensor. The lens module has a molded glass aspheric lens and aspheric lens. The molded glass aspheric lens is disposed at one end near an object of which the image is to be captured, the IR cut coating is formed on the molded glass aspheric lens, and the image sensor is located behind the lens module to capture the image of the object. In addition to the lens module, the IR cut coating and the image sensor, the optical image device may further include a protective glass disposed on the image sensor.