Abstract: Polarization independent optical isolator/circulator devices based on Mach-Zehnder interferometers. The devices utilize either polarization splitting and nonreciprocal polarization conversion or nonreciprocal phase shift within the interferometric arm. For devices with nonreciprocal phase shift, the relative phase difference is 0° in the forward propagation direction and 180° in the backward propagation direction, or vice versa, so that light goes into a bar or cross port depending on the propagation direction. The devices have advantages over previous designs in the use of inexpensive device components, simple alignment, minimal space requirement, and negligible polarization mode dispersion or polarization dependent loss. In addition, the devices can be made in a waveguide form with minimal loss and with high fabrication ease. An additional phase compensator and/or a variable attenuator can be integrated in order to relax the fabrication tolerances.

Abstract: Late transition metal complexes of certain neutral iminophosphine ligands are useful as components of polymerization catalysts for olefins. Useful metals in the complexes include Ni, Pd, Fe and Co. Oligomers and/or polymers of olefins such as ethylene can be made.

Abstract: This invention relates to an isolated nucleic acid fragment encoding a metalloprotease, more specifically peptide deformylase. The invention also relates to the construction of a recombinant DNA construct encoding all or a portion of peptide deformylase, in sense or antisense orientation, wherein expression of the recombinant DNA construct results in production of altered levels of peptide deformylase in a transformed host cell.

Abstract: Dielectrics are formed having high dielectric constants, low loss tangents, and other desirable electrical and physical properties. The dielectrics are annealed at temperatures allowing the use of copper foil substrates, and at low oxygen partial pressures.

Abstract: This invention relates to an isolated nucleic acid fragment encoding a sorbitol biosynthetic enzyme. The invention also relates to the construction of a chimeric gene encoding all or a portion of the sorbitol biosynthetic enzyme, in sense or antisense orientation, wherein expression of the chimeric gene results in production of altered levels of the sorbitol biosynthetic enzyme in a transformed host cell.

Abstract: The present invention provides an energy curable composition including a compound having an aromatic or heteroaromatic moiety; at least two fluorinated alkylene, arylene or polyether moieties, each fluorinated alkylene, arylene or polyether moiety being linked to the aromatic or heteroaromatic moiety through an ether or thioether; and at least one ethylenically unsaturated moiety, each ethylenically unsaturated moiety being linked to one of the fluorinated alkylene, arylene or polyether moieties. The present invention also provides an energy curable composition including a compound having an isocyanurate moiety, three fluorinated alkylene, arylene, or polyether moieties linked to the isocyanurate moiety at the nitrogens of the isocyanurate, and at least one ethylenically unsaturated moiety linked to one of the fluorinated alkylene, arylene, or polyether moieties. The present invention further provides polymeric materials and optical devices made using these compositions.

Abstract: A thin-film transistor array comprises at least first and second transistors. Each transistor comprises a source electrode, a drain electrode a semiconductor electrode, a gate electrode, and a semiconductor layer. The semiconductor layer is continuous between the first and second transistors. The semiconductor layer is preferably unpatterned. In various display applications, the geometry of the transistors is selected to provide acceptable leakage currents. In a preferred embodiment, the transistor array is employed in an encapsulated electrophoretic display.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are 1,1,1,3,3-pentafluorobutane refrigerant or heat transfer fluid compositions further comprising fluoroether, which are useful in refrigerain or air conditioning apparatus or as heat transfer fluids. The compositions of the present invention are also useful in centrifugal compressor apparatus that employ two-stage compressors or single slab.single pass heat exchangers.

Abstract: present invention relates to a Cd-free and Pb-free glass composition comprising, based in mol %, 1–10% MO where M is selected from Ba, Sr, Ca and mixtures thereof, 5–30% MgO, 0.3–5% CuO, 0–2.5% P2O5, 0–2.5% ZrO2, 24–45% ZnO, 2–10% Al2O3, 35–50% SiO2 and 0.1–3% A2O where A is selected from the group of alkali elements and mixtures thereof wherein the glass composition is useful in thick paste dielectric materials which are compatible with AlN substrates.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for producing 5-methyl-N-alkyl-2-pyrrolidone by a) reacting ?-angelica lactone with alkyl amines and b) hydrogenating the products of step (a) in the presence of a metal catalyst, which is optionally supported.

Abstract: A dry material surface applicator comprising: a plurality of receptacles for attaching hoses from an air seeder cart; a plurality of towers mounted on a boom; a plurality of smaller distribution tubes emanating from each tower; a plurality of deflector shields mounted to the rear side of the boom; two boom wheels at either end of the boom; a center section comprising a single axle, two center wheels, an inside support bar, and two outside support bars; two swing arms, each of which is pivotally connected to one of the outside support bars of the center section proximate the center wheels; two main arms, each of which is releasably attached to a swing arm on one end and a bracket mounted to the boom on the other end; and a latching mechanism that locks the swing arm in place when the applicator is in a field or highway position.

Abstract: An eyewear assembly comprises a primary frame assembly 100 having an outer periphery and a primary lens holder 102. At least one primary lens 106 is carried by the primary lens holder. One of a pair of arms 108 extends from a hinge 110 at each outer periphery of the primary frame assembly. An auxiliary frame assembly 200 has an outer periphery with auxiliary extensions 208 and an auxiliary lens holder 202. At least one auxiliary lens 206 is carried by the auxiliary lens holder, wherein the auxiliary frame assembly is removably secured to the primary frame assembly between the hinges and arms, so that the auxiliary lens is maintained between the primary lens and an eye of the wearer and the forward aspect of the primary assembly is undisturbed.

Abstract: A first apparatus for displaying drawings comprises a housing having an aperture, a drawing sheet comprising electro-optic material movable through the aperture between closed and open positions, and a writing device for writing on the sheet as it moved between its closed and open positions. A second apparatus comprises a display member having a viewing surface, support means for supporting this display member above a floor, an electro-optic medium disposed on the display member, and a movable writing head for writing on the electro-optic medium. Another display comprise an optic medium with two display states visible through a viewing surface. A touch screen is disposed on the opposed side of the optic medium from the viewing surface, and the optic medium is deformable such that pressure applied to the viewing surface will be transmitted to the touch screen.

Abstract: A wavelength converter or demultiplexer device comprising first and second stages (30, 40). For wavelength converter action, the first stage impresses an intensity modulation (IM) and phase modulation (PM) on a CW input signal (?1) carried by an input DATA signal (?2) using cross phase modulation in a non-linear optical element (46). The first stage in an embodiment is a semiconductor laser amplifier loop optical mirror (SLALOM) which has a semiconductor optical amplifier (SOA) as the non-linear optical element. The second stage has a non-linear transfer function and impresses a further IM on the optical signal responsive to the PM impressed in the first stage. In an embodiment, the second stage is a polarization maintaining fiber (PMF) optical loop. The transfer function of the overall device is thus improved by making it steeper and more time confined.

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 self-contained system uses light reflectivity to examine intensity of a dyed spot on a device membrane surrounded by background area to discern information about the specimen that produced the spot. In a preferred embodiment, a master clock alternatively drives one LED focussed upon the spot center, and then drives two LEDS focused on the background area. Light reflected from the spot and background is detected by preferably two photodetectors (“PDs”) spaced-apart a multiple of 90° azimuthal.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for making durable titanium dioxide pigment by vapor phase deposition of surface treatments on the titanium dioxide particle surface by reacting titanium tetrachloride vapor, an oxygen containing gas and aluminum chloride in a plug flow reactor to form a product stream containing titanium dioxide particles; and introducing silicon tetrachloride into the reactor at a point down stream of the point where the titanium tetrachloride and oxygen were contacted and where at least 97% of the titanium tetrachloride has been converted to titanium dioxide or where the reaction temperature is no greater than about 1200° C., and preferably not more than about 1100° C.

Abstract: A sensor arrangement is suitable for detecting if a windscreen of a motor vehicle is fogging. The sensor arrangement includes a heat conducting layer disposed on a supporting surface, the layer exhibiting good heat conducting properties. A support plate is arranged on top of the heat conducting layer, including a recess and several electrical conductor tracks. A moisture-sensitive sensor element is arranged in the region of the recess of the support plate. The sensor element is electroconductively connected to the conductor tracks on the support plate. The temperature difference between the sensor element and the supporting plate may not exceed a given limit when measurement occurs.

Abstract: A leg-rest assembly for use with a chair, in particular, a reclining chair is disclosed. The leg-rest assembly is comprised of a leg-rest pivotally connected to a seat, and a foot-rest portion attached in a telescopic relationship with the leg-rest portion.

Abstract: A continuous process for the process for the enzyme-catalyzed preparation of cyclic ester oligomers from linear ester oligomers. The process may use a linear or recirculating reactor.