Abstract: 2,5-Diformylfuran is prepared from a source of fructose in a one-pot, two-step reaction, in a single solvent system process, using a vanadium catalyst.

Abstract: A process for producing a partially ester-exchanged SIPM such as an alkali metal bis(2-hydroxyethyl) 5-sulfoisophthalate produced from an alkali metal dimethyl 5-sulfoisophthalate in an alcohol is disclosed. The partially ester-exchanged SIPM in an alcohol can be used to copolymerize with oligomer of terephthalic acid or dimethyl terephthalate and an alcohol. Also disclosed is a process for controlling the color of a dyeable polyester using a phosphorous compound.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to fabricating two-terminal electric microswitches comprising thin semiconductor films and using these microswitches to construct column-row (x-y) addressable microswitch matrices. These microswitches are two terminal devices through which electric current and electric potential (or their derivatives or integrals) can be switched on and off by the magnitude or the polarity of the external bias. The microswitches are made from semiconducting thin films in a electrode/semiconductor/electrode, thin film configuration. Column-row addressable electric microswitch matrices can be made in large areas, with high pixel density. Such matrices can be integrated with a sensor layer with electronic properties which vary in response to external physical conditions (such as photon radiation, temperature, pressure, magnetic field and so on), thereby forming a variety of detector matrices.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting leaks and mechanical faults by way of an ultrasonic device. An output from a variable gain amplifier is supplied to a pair of heterodyning circuits, i.e., a dual heterodyning circuit. At each respective heterodyning circuit, the output signal from the variable gain amplifier is multiplied by a local oscillator that is internal to each circuit. The dual heterodyning circuit is used to provide an enhanced input transducer signal for spectral analysis. This permits the capture of low level frequency components for extraction during spectral analysis. The dual heterodyning circuit of the present invention to provide the enhanced spectrum to thereby permit an easy determination of whether the resonance is mechanical or electrical becomes clear. In addition, fault frequencies are also more easily discernable. In other words, the enhanced signal output provides a lower signal to noise ratio such that the ease with which frequency components are analyzed is increased.

Abstract: The present invention provides processes for producing certain very low inherent viscosity polyesters. Also provided are the low inherent viscosity polyesters in discrete particulate form, and processes for producing the particulate polyesters. The discrete particulate materials are desirable for use in further processes.

Abstract: A cage-nut assembly includes a nut positioned within a cage structure. The cage structure is configured to provide high torsional strength to prevent rotation of the nut. The cage structure has a flat base and an at least partially open end portion. The cage structure includes a blocking member preventing the nut from moving laterally along the base through the at least partially open end portion. The blocking member is relatively structurally weak in a direction orthogonal to a torsional rotation direction of the nut. The structurally weak blocking member is bendable when less than approximately 20 lbs. of force is applied to the blocking member to open the end portion and allow the nut to move laterally along the base through the end portion for removal of the nut.

Abstract: An ornamental manufactured product of the “graduated or scalar wound” type comprises a filament of precious material spirally wound on a woven strip of precious or non-precious material. The manufactured product is constituted by portions which have different width, that is with the two borders which are not completely rectilinear but are formed by sections which have a converging and/or diverging course with respect to the longitudinal axis of the manufactured product.

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

Abstract: The present invention relates to coating compositions which can be used as the clear coat for automotive finishing or refinishing, the coating composition containing a film-forming binder which contains (A) hydroxyl-containing acrylic polymer and polyhydroxyl-tertiary amine, (B) organic polyisocyanate, and (C) catalyst, to provide a coating film which is quick to cure at ambient temperature.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a process for the production of a mixture of cyclohexanone and cyclohexanol by oxidation of cyclohexane and decomposition of cyclohexyl hydroperoxide.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a fungus resistant gypsum board, made of first and second polymeric fibrous sheets with a gypsum core sandwiched there between. The gypsum core containing less than 0.03% of formulation additives that serve as fungus nutrients and less than 0.5% of the dry gypsum core contains of fungus nutrients. The fibrous sheets are preferably nonwovens and the gypsum core preferably contains a fungicide. The invention is also directed to a process for making a fungus resistant gypsum board.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for producing (CF3)2C═CH2, CF3CH═CF2, CF2═C(CF3)OCF2CHF2 and C6H5C(CF3)═CF2. The process involves contacting the corresponding fluorocarbon starting material selected from (CF3)2CFCH2F, (CF3)2CHF, (CF3)2CFOCF2CHF2 and C6H5CF(CF3)2, in the vapor phase, with a defluorination reagent selected from carbon, copper, iron nickel and zinc at an elevated temperature of at least 300 ° C.

Abstract: A method for performing power conversion provides a converter output AC waveform from a converter input AC waveform, the convertor input waveform having an input power level, an input frequency, an input waveform shape, and an input voltage/current characteristic. The converter input AC waveform is applied to a converter switch with a switch frequency and the switch is operated at the switch frequency to provide a switched waveform having a plurality of switched waveform notches with a notch repetition rate substantially equal to the switch frequency. A filter performs filtering of the switched waveform to provide the converter output AC waveform with an output power level substantially equal to the input power level, an output frequency substantially equal to the input frequency, an output waveform shape substantially similar to the input wave form shape, and an output voltage/current characteristic substantially different from the input voltage/current characteristic.

Abstract: An iron-based corrosion resistant and wear resistant alloy. The alloy can comprise (in weight percent) 0.005-0.5% boron, 1.2-1.8% carbon, 0.7-1.5% vanadium, 7-11% chromium, 1-3.5% niobium, 6-11% molybdenum, and the balance including iron and incidental impurities. Alternatively, the Nb content can be replaced or combined with Ti, Zr, Hf and/or Ta such that 1%<(Ti+Zr+Nb+Hf+Ta)≦3.5. The alloy has improved hot hardness and high temperature compressive strength and is suitable for use in elevated temperature applications such as in diesel valve seat inserts.

Abstract: This invention concerns the construction of transgenic soybean lines wherein the expression of genes encoding seed storage proteins are modulated to effect a change in seed storage protein profile of transgenic plants. Modification of the seed storage protein profile can result in the production of novel soy protein products with unique and valuable functional characteristics.

Abstract: Decorative surface material having a decorative pattern in which a combination of domains of varying sizes and colors are defined by shading variations at the interfaces of adjoining domains, the decorative pattern being provided by a process in which a flowable thermosettable molding formulation having orientable particles mixed therein is divided into fragments which are mixed together, the mixture is fed into a hot mold and pressure is applied to form the solid surface material.

Abstract: A display overlay includes a contrast media layer and a photoconductive layer disposed between two electrodes. Light from an emissive display strikes the photoconductive layer and lowers the impedance of the photoconductive layer at the point at which the light is incident. Voltage applied to the electrodes creates an electric field that addresses the contrast media layer in locations of reduced impedance.

Abstract: Graphite sheeting having a thickness of less than 250 micrometers and in-plane conductivity of at least 100 S/cm when employed as a cathode current collector in a lithium or lithium ion cell containing a fluorinated lithium imide or methide electrolyte salt imparts high thermal resistance, excellent electrochemical stability, and surprisingly high capacity retention at high rates of discharge.

Abstract: Hypericum perforatum L. Oleoresin, procedure for obtaining it and uses of it. A Hypericum perforatum L Oleoresin is describes that is stable over time on its Hyperforin and Hypericine content without adding preservatives; a procedure for obtaining the Oleoresin by extraction with low-polarity solvents, followed by purification; also its use as a regulator of the components of the extracellular matrix is described and its use for the manufacture of hydrosoluble gels containing Hypericum perforatum L Oleoresin.