Abstract: Substituted cyclopentenes, such as alkyl cyclopentenes, are polymerized by selected &agr;-imine complexes of nickel and palladium. The polymers are useful as molding resins or elastomers. Also disclosed herein are novel catalysts for the polymerization of cyclopentenes to form novel higher melting homopolycyclopentenes.

Abstract: Catalysts for the polymerization of olefins are provided. The catalysts contain transition metals including nickel and palladium and a diimine ligand in a square planar configuration with two other ligands, and are useful in the polymerization of, for example, olefins, cycloolefins, olefinic esters, and olefinic carboxylic acids. The cocatalyst forms a useable coordinating anion. Polymerization processes using the catalysts can produce homopolymers and copolymers, and the polymers produced may be crosslinked and/or exhibit branching.

Abstract: A passenger seat movable from an upright to a recline position without encroaching on an aft-seated passenger, and including a seat base for being attached to a supporting surface. A unitary seating element is provided and includes a pair of laterally-spaced apart seat frames carried by the seat base, the seat frames defining a curved shape corresponding to the profile of an anatomically-appropriate seat bottom and seat back. A curved, semi-rigid diaphragm support is carried between the seat frames in alignment with the curved shape of the seat frames and mounted for movement relative to the seat frames between a first, upright position and a second, reclined position. A diaphragm is positioned under tension on the diaphragm support for providing a continuous seat bottom and seat back support surface for a seat occupant. Stretchers are attached to and extend between opposite sides of the diaphragm support for maintaining the diaphragm support in a spaced-apart condition with the diaphragm in tension.

Abstract: Blends comprising a polar derivative of an ethylene based polymer and a cycloolefin polymer are prepared. The ethylene based polymer preferably comprises at least 60 weight % of ethylene, relative to the weight of the polymer and polar monomers selected from the group of carboxylic acids, alkyl acrylates and vinyl acetates. It is preferably 0.01 to 99.5% neutralized with metal ions selected from sodium, potassium, zinc, calcium, magnesium, lithium, aluminum, nickel, and chromium. The cycloolefin polymer is preferably an ethylene-norbornene copolymer. The invention also relates to the applications of such blends as sealant layers and film packagings. The perforation resistance, the heat seal initiation temperature and the hot tack strength of such films are improved.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for the production of protective coatings on parts. A coating formed in accordance with the invention has a chemical composition and structure gradient across its thickness. The coating is obtained by heating of a composite ingot including a body and at least one insert disposed within the body. As the composite ingot is heated it sequentially evaporates to produce a vapor with a chemical composition varying over the evaporation time period. The composition of the body and composition and location of the insert within the body function to determine the chemical composition of the vapor at any time. Condensation and/or deposition of the vapor onto a substrate forms the inventive coating.

Abstract: An improved catalyst of platinum, rhenium and tin with an inert support used for hydrogenation of an hydrogenatable precursor in an aqueous solution and a method for using the catalyst in the production of tetrahydrofuran and 1,4-butanediol from such a hydrogenatable precursor in an aqueous solution.

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

Abstract: A passenger seat with low profile seat back recline locking assembly, including a recline unit for controlling movement of the seat back and locking the seat back in a desired recline position. A hydraulic cylinder assembly is pivotally-mounted by a first end thereof to a section assembly module of the seat and by an opposite second end thereof to the seat back unit. The cylinder assembly has a longitudinally-extending axis extending in alignment with the longitudinally-extending, generally vertical plane of the seat back. An actuator is positioned astride and operatively connected to the fluid cylinder adjacent one or the other of the first and second ends thereof.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for the production of an aryl thiol, which comprises hydrogenating an aryl sulfonyl chloride in a solvent in the presence of a palladium catalyst and a base whose conjugate acid has a pKa of about 2 or greater, wherein the base is selected from the group consisting of ionic bases soluble in water and tertiary amines soluble in the solvent, the tertiary amines not having a methyl group attached to the amine nitrogen.

Abstract: This invention concerns ionomers comprising monomer units of vinylidene fluoride and monomer units of perfluorovinyl ethers having pendant groups containing fluoroalkyl sulfonyl methide or fluoroalkyl sulfonyl imide derivatives and univalent metal salts thereof, and with the uses of said ionomers in eledrochemical applications, electrochemical capacitors and modified electrodes.

Abstract: A lightweight and durable high-performance denim fabric. More particularly, a lightweight durable denim comprising a high strength component and a natural fiber, which is constructed into a fabric having both about a 15% lighter weight and about 15% higher durability than standard denim.

Abstract: An injected plastic product, such as a security seal, individualised by means of a strip of paper printed with an identification and integrated with an identification surface of the product. According to the invention, delamination of the strip of paper, so as to remove the outer layer or layers with the individualized identification, is not possible without tearing the paper. This may be done by forming the identification surface with one or more small protuberances which are covered by the paper strip or by at least part of the outer surface of the paper strip covered by the plastic injected when making the product. Injection molds suitable for making the product are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention refers to water-in-silicone type cosmetic emulsion which comprises particulate solid cosmetic components and includes as emulsifying system an association of a primary emulsifier selected from the group comprising copoliols and a secondary emulsifier selected from lipophilic stearic acids, wherein such particulate solid cosmetic components have a maximum particle size and a degree of repellence among the particles and the environment in which they are dispersed sufficient to guarantee their stability in relation to the environment in which they are dispersed.

Abstract: A method and systems are provided for extracting heavy metal from glass waste. Glass is initially crushed to a diameter size of about 2 millimeters. The glass is then added to a tank having a solution of water and acid, where the acid removes metal from the surface of the glass particles. The solution is then separated from the glass particles. In some embodiments, the glass particles are also rinsed with water and the rinsed water is treated to remove any residual contaminates. In more embodiments, the solution can be reused for a number of iterations that treat glass waste in order to extract heavy metal from the glass waste.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for forming a RAM data memory that generates predictable noise/interference components that are coherent with each write cycle and essentially independent of the data content of the RAM data memory. The RAM data memory is comprised of a plurality of cells, each representing a data bit, which are selectively addressable as memory bytes formed of multiple bits. Each cell is formed of two sets of cross-coupled transistors. By causing each set of cross-coupled transistors to be set to a common voltage level at the beginning of a write cycle before setting one set of transistors to a low level and the one set of transistors to be set to a high level (thus representing a desired data bit value), the associated noise/interference components of the power drain are data independent. Furthermore, the data-independent noise occurs at frequencies at or above the write cycle rate.

Abstract: A range finder device for use with a controller in an optical system is disclosed in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. The range finder device comprises a transmitter configured to produce a first beam of non-visible radiation for intersecting a perceived object, and a receiver configured to detect a second beam of non-visible radiation reflected from the perceived object, the controller configured to determine a viewing distance of the perceived object based on signals received from the transmitter and receiver. A method of controlling an optical lens system is also disclosed. The method comprises utilizing a range finder device to determine a viewing distance of an object perceived through an electro-active lens and adjusting a focal length of a first portion of the electro-active lens based on the viewing distance an optical lens system is also disclosed.