Abstract: The present invention concerns a method of activating or regenerating a hydrogen storage material which contains at least one metal hydride. The at least one metal hydride is brought into contact with an inert solvent and the inert solvent is subsequently removed again. After contacting with and removal of the inert solvent, there is not only an increase in the reaction rate but surprisingly the hydrogenation also proceeds more completely. The present method is particularly advantageous when the hydrogen storage material contains at least components which interact with one another during absorption and desorption.

Abstract: Alloys based on titanium aluminides, such as ? (TiAl) which may be made through the use of casting or powder metallurgical processes and heat treatments. The alloys contain titanium, 38 to 46 atom % aluminum, and 5 to 10 atom % niobium, and they contain composite lamella structures with B19 phase and ? phase there in a volume ratio of the B19 phase to ? phase 0.05:1 and 20:1.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a hydrogen-storing composite material which is convertible essentially reversibly between a storing state and a non-storing state, wherein the reaction enthalpy in this conversion reaction can be set in a targeted manner to a value between 15 and 80 kJ/mol of H2, preferably 25 to 40 kJ/mol of H2.

Abstract: The invention concerns alloys made through the use of melting and powdered metallurgical techniques on the basis of titanium aluminides with an alloy composition of Ti-z Al-y Nb where 44.5 Atom % ?z?47 Atom %, 44.5 Atom % ?z?45.5 Atom %, and 5 Atom % ?y?10 Atom % with possibly the addition of B and/or C at a content between 0.05 Atom % and 0.8 Atom %. Said alloy is characterized in that it contains a molybdenum (Mo) content ranging between 0.1 Atom % to 3.0 Atom %.

Abstract: The invention relates to a shape memory polymer, to a process for its production and to a process for its programming. The inventive shape memory polymer has at least two switching segments with different transition temperatures (Ttrans,1, Ttrans,2) such that the polymer, depending on the temperature, as well as a permanent shape (PF), can also assume at least two temporary shapes (TF1, TF2). The first switching segment is based essentially on a polyester of the general formula (I) where n=1 . . . 6 or a copolyester of the general formula (I) with different n or a derivative thereof. The second switching segment is based essentially on a polyacrylate of the general formula (II) in which R is H or CH3, and R1 is a saturated or unsaturated, cyclic or aliphatic, unsubstituted or substituted C1-C10 radical.

Abstract: The present invention concerns shape memory materials comprising polyelectrolyte segments. These segments can be used for fixing a permanent shape and/or such segments can also be employed as switching segments responsible for the fixation and release of the temporary shape.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for programming a shape memory polymer, which comprises at least one switching segment having at least one thermal phase transition and covalent and/or non-covalent cross-linking points such that the shape memory polymer after the programming thereof is in a position to transition from a programmed temporary shape into the permanent shape thereof, following a temperature increase to a temperature that at least corresponds to a switching temperature (Tswitch, T?max).

Abstract: A copolymer is described comprising a first repeating unit from a compound selected from the consisting of a pentadecalactone and a dioxanone in combination with a second repeating unit derived from at least one additional ester repeating unit-yielding monomer, wherein the copolymer does not comprise any further repeating units except for said first and second repeating units, a melting temperature of at least 70° C., and a crystalline content selected from the group consisting of an overall crystalline content of at least 25% and a crystalline content of the first repeating unit of at least 20%.

Abstract: A method for the production of a functionalized polytriazole polymer, particularly a poly(1,2,4-triazole)-polymer, includes the steps of (a) mixing a hydrazine salt, particularly hydrazine sulfate, with at least an aromatic and/or heteroaromatic dicarboxylic acid and/or at least a dicarboxylic acid derivate in polyphosphoric acid and if necessary further components for obtaining a solution; (b) heating the solution in a protective gas atmosphere for obtaining polyhydrazides and adding aromatic and/or heteroaromatic primary amines to the solution; and (c) precipitating a polymer. If necessary, neutralization in a basic solution may be carried out.

Abstract: A biocompatible material from which solid structures such as for example screws or plates can be manufactured, which are used for fixing bone fractures or damage and display an adequate mechanical stability. A mixture of apatite and a magnesium alloy, in the form of chips or powder, is ground in a ball mill until a homogeneous mixture forms. The homogeneous mixture is consolidated in a second step. This can be carried out by extrusion or forging. The desired shape can then be extracted from the obtained solid material by machining.

Abstract: A membrane for gas separation includes a porous support layer and a separation layer. The separation layer comprises a mixture of one or more saccharide derivatives and one or more homopolymers. The saccharide derivative(s) may have a cyclic structure with five or six ring atoms, or a linear structure, or may include monosaccharide derivatives which are bound via glycoside bonds, and the number of monosaccharides bound in this manner may be 2 to 1,000. A membrane can be produced by preparing a homogeneous solution which comprises a saccharide derivative and a homopolymer in a solvent; and pouring the homogenous solution onto a support layer. The membrane may be used in a gas separation module the operation of which makes use of the membrane.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the joining of tube plates (10) and tubes (11) in a tube bundle heat transfer device with the help of a rotating friction tool. Here, the friction tool is rotatingly moved into the open end of a tube (11) surrounded by the tube plate (10) in the axial direction of said tube and pressed against the face of the tube (11) in the manner that the tube end (12) and the region of the tube plate (10) surrounding the tube end are plasticized and merge into a weld joint.

Abstract: The present invention related to amorphous photosensitive networks. The networks are characterized by good shape memory properties.

Abstract: A catalyst is produced by bonding a homogeneous catalyst to the surface of a catalyst support. A catalyst may include a catalyst support, a spacer molecule bonded to the catalyst support, and a homogeneous catalyst bonded to the spacer molecule. A catalyzed reaction can be carried out by providing reactants in a first phase and providing a catalyst as described herein in the first phase.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for producing a component composed of titanium or titanium alloy by means of MIM technology. In this process, a homogeneous mixture of boron powder having a particle size of less than 10 ?m, preferably less than 5 ?m, more preferably less than 2 ?m, and titanium powder and/or titanium alloy powder is produced, and binder is mixed with the homogeneous mixture of boron and titanium powder and/or titanium alloy powder and also, if appropriate, an additive in a kneader, the mixture is moulded by injection moulding to produce a green part, the moulded composition is subjected to chemical and/or thermal removal of binder to produce a brown part and the composition from which the binder has been removed is sintered at a temperature in the range from 1000° C. to 1600° C.

Abstract: The invention proposes a process for producing components (10) or semi-finished products which contain intermetallic titanium aluminide alloys, which includes the following process steps: rough contouring of a plurality of plate-like bodies (11) so as to correspond to a desired final shape of the component (10) or semi-finished product, some of these plate-like bodies or all the plate-like bodies consisting of titanium aluminide alloys; carrying out surface-to-surface joins between the plurality of plate-like bodies (11) stacked on top of one another so as to form an overall body (10); and forming the desired final shape of the overall body (10). The invention also concerns a component, in particular for jet engines, which is produced using this process.

Abstract: The invention relates to particles which exhibit a stimulable shape change and allow control of their uptake in active cells. The particles can be used as carrier systems for bioactive molecules or as diagnostic agents, and the spherical shape thereof has a size permitting uptake in a cell. Each particle assumes a temporary, non-spherical and thus non-uptakeable or only slightly uptakeable shape which can be transformed into a spherical and thus uptakeable shape by a suitable stimulus.

Abstract: A polyoxadiazole polymer is synthesized by heating polyphosphoric acid to a temperature of at least about 160° C. and making a solution by mixing hydrazine sulfate salt with one or more dicarboxylic acids or their derivatives in the heated polyphosphoric acid. The solution is heated under an inert gas atmosphere and the polymer is precipitated in a basic solution. The polyoxadiazole polymer can be produced as a homopolymer or copolymer, and may be used to produce a membrane or fibers.

Abstract: The invention relates to a metal-containing, hydrogen-storing material which contains a catalyst for the purpose of hydration or dehydration, said catalyst being a metal carbonate. The method for producing such a metal-containing, hydrogen-storing material is characterized by subjecting the metal-containing material and/or the catalyst in the form of a metal carbonate to a mechanical milling process.

Abstract: A method of connecting a plastic workpiece to a further workpiece and a device for carrying out the method are shown and described. The object of providing a method with which a positive-locking connection between a plastic workpiece and a further workpiece can be produced in a short time and without considerable outlay in terms of apparatus is achieved by a method comprising the following steps: providing a plastic workpiece and a further workpiece, placing the further workpiece against the plastic workpiece, providing a connecting element on a surface of the plastic workpiece, this surface being opposite the surface against which the further workpiece bears, producing a recess in the further workpiece, this recess being provided on the surface bearing against the plastic workpiece, heating the connecting element, so that the material of the connecting element is plasticized, and pressing plasticized material into the recess.