Abstract: The present invention is a high performance microcellular polyurethane foam suitable for numerous applications normally considered outside the realm of conventional solid systems. Also included in the present invention is a method of manufacturing the high performance microcellular polyurethane foam using controlled water addition, foam surfactant addition, a modified catalyst system, the addition of a delayed action tin catalyst and a reduced NCO/OH ratio. The present invention has special application for industrial parts, especially the bowling equipment industry and the cardboard manufacturing industry.

Abstract: An electro-active spectacle lens is disclosed. The disclosed lens includes a first lens optic. The disclosed lens also includes a first electro-active zone positioned in a cooperative relationship with the first lens optic. In certain embodiments, the electro-active lens includes a range finder positioned in a cooperative relationship with the electro-active lens.

Abstract: A gas diffusion backing for fuel cells wherein a porous carbonaceous paper or fabric, impregnated with a first fluorinated polymer, bears a microporous coating of a second fluorinated polymer admixed with carbon particles. Also, a process for making the composite wherein the fluorinated polymers are coalesced by heating above their glass transition temperature or melting point is described. A membrane electrode assembly prepared using these gas diffusion backing and a fuel are also provided.

Abstract: Novel non-symmetric, partially fluorinated compositions and method of manufacture which are useful as lubricants or as additives to lubricant formulations involving the molecular structure: R1f—F′—R2—F″—R3h where R1f represents a wholly or partially fluorinated organic residue end group, F′ and F″ represent functional linkages which may be alike or different, R2 represents the backbone and R3h represents a non-fluorinated organic residue end group. Such compositions are produced by reacting a mixture of alcohols, mercaptans or amines containing at least one partially fluorinated compound and at least one non-fluorinated compound in the mixture, thus producing the R1f and the R3h residues, with a difunctional organic compound (e.g., diacid, dinitrile, disulfonyl halide, diisocyanate, diisothiocyanate, diphosphoryl halide or dithiophosphoryl halide).

Abstract: A process for the high-speed rotary application of a liquid coating agent onto a substrate, wherein the process comprises the steps: (a) direct supply of at least two liquid components in a specified quantity ratio which determines the qualitative and quantitative composition of the coating agent to at least one high-speed rotary atomizer or preparation of a premix from at least two liquid components in a specified quantity ratio which determines the qualitative and quantitative composition of the coating agent and supply of the premix to at least one high-speed rotary atomizer, (b) high-speed rotary atomization of the components directly supplied in step (a) or of the premix supplied in step (a) to the at least one high-speed rotary atomizer and (c) application of the material atomized in step (b) onto a substrate, wherein at least one of the components used in step (a) differs from at least one further component used in step (a) with regard to density by 0.

Abstract: A control device to drive and control the CD player or CD writer to operate without any computer available is disclosed. The control device includes a CD player base and a control panel base connected to the base. The control panel base includes a LCD display and a control panel with a plurality of keys. An interface slot and a plurality of terminal ports are located on the front and back of the control panel base, respectively. The control device further includes a CPU, which is connected to audio-in/out ports, video in/out ports, speaker microphone, LCD display, power port, remote control keyboard, CD/RW Driver, and expanded memory/ROM so that the CD player can operate to play the CD without support by the computer when the interface port of the CD player is inserted to the interface slot.

Abstract: A low temperature alkali metal electrolysis process is provided. The process comprises carrying out the electrolysis in the presence of a co-electrolyte and an alkali metal halide. The co-electrolyte comprises (1) a nitrogen-containing compound and optionally one ore more Group IB halides, Group IIIA halides, Group VIII halides; (2) a Group IIIA halide, a Group VB halide, or combinations of a Group IIIA halide and a Group VB halide; or (3) water. Also provided is a low temperature electrolysis process, which comprises carrying out the process using a cathode that comprises (1) a liquid alkali metal; (2) an alloy of two or more metals selected from the group consisting of bismuth, lead, tin, antimony, indium, gallium, thallium, and cadmium; or (3) an electrically conductive liquid solvated alkali metal.

Abstract: A novel MOS or CMOS based active sensor array for producing electronic images from electron-hole producing light. Each pixel of the array includes a layered photodiode for converting the electron-hole producing light into electrical charges and MOS and/or CMOS pixel circuits located under the layered photodiodes for collecting the charges. The present invention also provides additional MOS or CMOS circuits in and/or on the same crystalline substrate for converting the collected charges into images and manipulating image data. The layered photodiode of each pixel is fabricated as continuous layers of charge generating material on top of the MOS and/or CMOS pixel circuits so that extremely small pixels are possible with almost 100 percent packing factors. In a preferred embodiment the sensor is a 0.3 mega pixel (3.2 mm×2.4 mm, 640×480) array of 5 micron square pixels which is compatible with a lens of {fraction (1/4.5)} inch optical format.

Abstract: A two-part coating system comprises a first part comprising one or more aliphatic polyisocyanates, optionally blended with one or more “amine reactive” resins and/or non reactive resins, and a second part comprising one or more aromatic polyamines optionally blended with one or more oligomeric polyamines, such that the two parts, when mixed together and applied to the internal surfaces of pipelines, form a rapid setting impervious coating suitable for contact with drinking water.

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

Abstract: An active pixel sensor. A solid state radiation detection unit may be fabricated using a semiconductor substrate having a plurality of CMOS pixel circuits incorporated into the substrate. An array of pixel circuits includes within each circuit a charge collecting pixel electrode, a charge sensing node, a gate bias transistor for separating the charge collecting pixel electrode and the charge sensing node and for maintaining the pixel electrodes at substantially equal potential, and a pixel capacitor to store charges collected by the charge collecting pixel electrodes. A charge measuring circuit comprising at least one transistor may also be configured with each pixel circuit. The sensor may further include a radiation absorbing layer comprised of photoconductive material, as well as a surface electrode layer comprised of electrically conducting material.

Abstract: A process for the generation of a computer image of a coated, three-dimensional object involves preparing a coating comprising a relevant coating layer with variable layer thickness on one or more test panels; taking a plurality of measurements of one or more optical surface properties as a function of the layer thickness of the relevant coating layer; storing the optical data in a datafile with assignment of the layer thickness of the relevant coating layer; facetting the visible surface(s) of a three-dimensional object by computer into a sufficient number of flat polygonal areas each being sufficiently small for the sufficiently accurate description of the surface topography; assigning layer thickness of the relevant coating layer and associated optical data in each case to each individual polygonal area by computer; and assembling the polygonal areas into a computer image of the three-dimensional object.

Abstract: A device that can be used for dispersing a liquid is disclose. The device comprises a container, a capillary device, and a housing. The container has an open end that is connected to the capillary device and comprises a liquid. The capillary device comprises a substantially tubular member having one end secured to the open end of the container and the opposing end extended therethrough a substantially tubular capillary structure, which is coaxially aligned with the substantially tubular member. The capillary structure is in fluid communication with the liquid in the container. The housing comprises a first end having an opening attached thereon the container, a low voltage supplier attached to one wall, a high voltage converter attached to another wall, a voltage contact and a counter electrode, optionally a heat and/or lighting source, a wicking material, and further optionally electronics for voltage regulation. Also disclosed is a process for dispensing liquid using the device.

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

Abstract: A superconducting cable includes a cryogenic fluid, a superconducting conductor, and a cryostat. A layer impervious to the cryogenic fluid is provided between the superconducting conductor and the cryogenic fluid. The superconducting conductor operates in a space substantially free from fluids liquefying at a temperature greater than or equal to an operative temperature of the superconducting cable. A method for protecting a superconducting cable from formation of balloons includes isolating the superconducting conductor from the cryogenic fluid using a layer impervious to the cryogenic fluid and operating the superconducting conductor in a space substantially free from fluids liquefying at a temperature greater than or equal to an operative temperature of the superconducting cable. A current transmission/distribution network including at least one of the superconducting cables is also disclosed.

Abstract: A stator (1) has a circular cylindrical internal surface (3) delimiting an operating chamber. A rotor (4) is mounted so as to be rotatable about the axis (8) of the internal surface (3) and has a cylindrical external surface (11), with one generatrix (13) adjacent to the internal surface (3), a diametrically opposite generatrix being spaced from the internal surface. A sealing member (17), projecting through a slot in the stator (1) into the operating chamber and being movable substantially radially, has an axial length substantially equal to that of the rotor (4). The sealing member (17) is connected to the rotor (4) by a linkage which causes the radially inner end of the sealing member to closely follow the external surface (3). A shutter disc (6) at one end of the rotor (4) covers a port (14), in particular an inlet port, in the stator (1).

Abstract: A triggerless back tension release for use with a bow string comprising a handle; a release head assembly including a rope loop and a first component pivotally mounted relative to a portion of the handle, the first component carrying a sear element having a sear edge and a hook adapted for receiving the rope loop; a locking rod located in the handle portion and actuated by a lever in the handle portion to engage and lock a second component of the release head assembly relative to the handle portion, the second component arranged to interact with the sear edge and to release the sear element and thereby release the bow string upon movement of the handle portion.

Abstract: A method of activating an information communication function by a remote device that can be connected to the Internet and to a telecommunication network including activating the remote device by a local or remote event; connecting the remote device to an Internet access provider in response to the activation; reading a temporary IP address assigned by the access provider during the connection step, and either a) transmitting the temporary IP address to an Internet terminal or a data processing system, and reading WEB pages stored locally by the remote device by the Internet terminal or by the data processing system, or b) directly transmitting data by outgoing and/or incoming electronic mail between the remote device and an Internet terminal or a data processing system without prior transmission of the temporary IP address.

Abstract: A receptacle for supporting a breast during ultrasonic scanning. The receptacle may include a contoured cup made of material that is substantially transparent to acoustical energy and have an open end into which the breast may be inserted and a narrowed end to receive a nipple of the breast. The receptacle may include spaced-apart elongated members, each made of material that is not substantially transparent to acoustical energy and each being mechanically coupled to the open end and to the narrow end of the cup. A fluid pump, impedance matching and a contoured tabletop are also disclosed.

Abstract: Various aspects of the invention provide for the creation, modification, transfer, manipulation, requesting and destruction of information objects in a computer network. Although some aspects of the invention are based on publish-subscribe techniques, many modifications and additional features are provided.