Abstract: Olefins, such as ethylene, are polymerized using as a polymerization catalyst a complex of a selected transition metal with an anionic ligand that has at least three atoms that may coordinate to the transition metal. Also disclosed are the above selected transition metal complexes, and intermediates thereto.

Abstract: A vehicle testing assembly for performing tests to determine certain characteristics of a motorized vehicle having a set of driven wheels. The testing assembly includes an annular roller with an outer surface. The roller is preferably formed of a steel composition. A controller is connected to the roller for retrieving data from the roller during a rotation of the roller. The testing assembly is characterized by a coating being applied to the outer surface of the roller to define a contact surface of the roller. The coating is formed of a coating composition different from the steel composition of the roller. Preferably, the coating composition comprises nickel and phosphorus. During operation of the vehicle testing assembly the wheel of the vehicle continuously contacts the contact surface of the coating to provide an accurate testing of the characteristics of the vehicle as the roller rotates.

Abstract: A polyether ester elastomer comprising about 90-about 60 weight % polytrimethylene ether ester soft segment and about 10-about 40 weight % tetramethylene ester hard segment, and use thereof in fibers and other shaped articles. The fibers have excellent physical properties, including superior strength and stretch recovery.

Abstract: Mesoporous materials containing a Group IIA metal are prepared by a sol-gel type techniques.

Abstract: The present invention is a process for controlling, at an aim point, the passivation of aluminum chloride in the chlorinator discharge stream in a process for making titanium tetrachloride.

Abstract: A curable coating composition comprising functionalized oligomer components i and ii which cross-link at cure to form a three-dimensional network having chains of substantially uniform, controllable molecular weight between cross-links; oligomers i and ii having weight average molecular weights not exceeding about 3,000, a polydispersity for (i) not exceeding about 1.5, and functionalities that react with one another to cross-link i and ii at cure to yield coatings with an excellent balance of hardness and mar resistance.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for the preparation of a 3-hydroxycarboxylic acid from a 3-hydroxynitrile. More specifically, 3-hydroxyvaleronitrile is converted to 3-hydroxyvaleric acid in high yield at up to 100% conversion, using as an enzyme catalyst 1) nitrile hydratase activity and amidase activity or 2) nitrilase activity of a microbial cell. 3-Hydroxyvaleric acid is used as a substitute for &egr;-caprolactone in the preparation of highly branched copolyester.

Abstract: A protective, biocompatible coating or encapsulation material protects and insulates a component or device intended to be implanted in living tissue. The coating or encapsulation material comprises a thin layer or layers of alumina, zerconia, or other ceramic, less than 25 microns thick, e.g., 5-10 microns thick. The alumina layer(s) may be applied at relatively low temperature. Once applied, the layer provides excellent hermeticity, and prevents electrical leakage. Even though very thin, the alumina layer retains excellent insulating characteristics. In one embodiment, an alumina layer less than about 6 microns thick provides an insulative coating that exhibits less than 10 pA of leakage current over an area 75 mils by 25 mils area while soaking in a saline solution at temperatures up to 80° C. over a three month period.

Abstract: A coordinate input device includes a pair of cameras positioned in an upper left position and an upper right position of a display screen of a monitor lying close to a plane extending from the display screen of the monitor and views both a side face of an object in contact with a position on the display screen and a predetermined desk-top coordinate detection area to capture the image of the object within the field of view. The coordinate input device also includes a control circuit which calculates the coordinate value of a pointing tool, pointing to a position within a coordinate detection field, based on video signals output from the pair of cameras, and transfers the coordinate value to a program of a computer.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for distributing, generating, and redeeming discount Virtual Coupons™, rebate or gift certificates or the like which may be used on conjunction with a frequency card program or the like. Virtual Coupons™ may be distributed electronically, for example, in the form of a diskette or CD-ROM software. Software on the diskette or CD-ROM may prompt a consumer to call a 1-800 number for a validation number or code. During the phone call, telemarketing personnel may request consumer demographic and or identification information which may be entered into a centralized database. Once the software is validated, a consumer may print out a list selected Virtual Coupons™ displayed on a Graphical User Interface (GUI). When a product is purchased, the UPC code of the product may be compared electronically with a list of Virtual Coupons™ authorized for a particular consumer.

Abstract: Melt-fabricable thermoplastic fluoropolymer having pendant functional groups is thermally cross-linked in the presence of polyfunctional nucleophile.

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

Abstract: A curable coating composition comprising functionalized oligomer components i and ii which cross-link at cure to form a three-dimensional network having chains of substantially uniform, controllable molecular weight between cross-links; oligomers i and ii having weight average molecular weights not exceeding about 3,000, a polydispersity for (i) not exceeding about 1.5, and functionalities that react with one another to cross-link i and ii at cure to yield coatings with an excellent balance of hardness and mar resistance.

Abstract: This invention is directed to alkyl cobalt (III) dioximates and methods for making these dioximates.

Abstract: A fixation device for fixing a mirror cover to a command set has at least three fixation sets uniformly spaced from one another and each including a flange disposable in an edge of an opening of the mirror cover for supporting a ring-shaped base of the command set, the flange having a cuneiform projection which is couplable in a groove of the ring-shaped base a stop projecting from the mirror cover and radially aligned with the flange at a spaced relationship to the latter, a seat defined by gutters in front faces of the flange and the stop and a hole provided in a region of the mirror cover that remains in a space between the flange and the stop, and a pin which is received under pressure in a seat and presses the cuneiform projection against the groove of the ring-shaped base.

Abstract: The invention is directed to gassing stabilized aqueous coating compositions comprising A) a metallic pigment and at least one reaction product of: (a) 5 to 95 weight percent of a at least one phosphonic acid derivative selected form compound I and II wherein R1 is H or O═P(OH)2; R2 and R3 are independently H, OH or an aliphatic, cycloaliphatic and aromatic substituent having 1 to 25 carbon atoms and optionally up to 10 heteroatoms of at least one of oxygen and phosphorus; and R′ is an aliphatic, cycloaliphatic and aromatic substituent having 1 to 25 carbon atoms and optionally up to 10 heteroatoms of at least one of oxygen and phosphorus; (b) 5 to 95 weight percent of a at least one compound having at least two epoxy groups and a number average molecular weight Mn of 300 to 5000 g/mol; and (c) 0 to 90 weight percent of a compound having one epoxy-functional group, wherein the proportions by weight of components (a), (b) and (c) total 100 weight percent.

Abstract: Porous polyolefins are especially efficiently free-radically grafted using (fluorinated alkyl)olefins, vinylsilanes or certain carboxylic acids or their esters as the grafting molecules. The use of a solvent to swell the porous polyolefin is sometimes advantageous.

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

Abstract: The present invention relates to in situ polymerization of fluoropolymer into porous substrates, to improve resistance to degradation by wetting and staining, and wood, to improve resistance to degradation, staining and warping.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system and a method to unload bulk powders from large bulk containers. The system and method are particularly useful for unloading bulk cohesive powders.