Abstract: Amphiphilic latex nanoparticles comprise a core and shell, The core contains hydrophobic vinylic grafted copolymer and hydrophobic vinylic homopolymer, and the shell to which the hydrophobic vinylic polymer is grafted is a hydrophilic, nitrogen-containing polymer. Typically the particles are made by a process which involves generating radicals on the nitrogen atoms of said hydrophilic polymer, and then initiating free-radical polymerisation of said vinylic monomer, hydrophobic vinylic polymer separating to form latexes of highly monodispersed core-shell particles with the hydrophobic polymer as the core and said hydrophilic polymer as the shell.

Abstract: In-organic fillers are modified by in-situ co-polymerization of vinyl siloxane and another vinyl monomer. Vinyl siloxane couples with the filler by Si—O bonds. The remaining vinyl groups on the surface of the treated fillers then co-polymerize with the other vinyl monomer. The modified in-organic fillers treated by the in-situ co-polymerization are subsequently used to fill the polymer matrix. Tensile and impact strength of filler-reinforced polymer composites are improved remarkably.

Abstract: Apparatus for measuring the lateral yarn density distribution of a yarn uses selected radiation in the X-ray spectrum wavelength. Radiation absorption is determined in a number of narrow planes across the yarn and in two or more rotational orientations. The measuring takes place without any damage to or physical interference with the yarn.

Abstract: A thermal manikin has a closed perforated rigid frame covered by a breathable fabric extending over the frame and forming arms and legs. Water passages and a pump inside the manikin direct water around the manikin to simulate natural blood flow. The manikin is provided with a controller and sensor for measuring conditions inside and outside the manikin that enables simultaneous determination of Clo (thermal resistance of clothing placed on the manikin) and Im (the permeability index of the clothing).

Abstract: Gallium nitride and its related alloys have attracted much attention due to their important optoelectronic applications in blue to UV range as well as in the area of high-temperature electronics. Due to significant mismatches in the lattice constants and coefficients of thermal expansion between the GaN material and the sapphire substrate, GaN films typically exhibit large defect concentration and residual strain. In the present invention, a 20 nm thick low-temperature buffer layer is first grown on the sapphire substrate at preferably 500° C. This is followed by the growth of an intermediate-temperature GaN buffer layer (ITBL) at preferably 690° C. Finally, the epitaxial GaN layer is grown on top of the ITBL at preferably 750° C. It is found that the film quality is significantly affected by the use of an ITBL.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for electrolessly depositing and electrodepositing CoWP barrier coating onto copper or copper alloys to prevent copper diffusion when forming layers on articles such as watch bracelets, watch cases, imitation jewelry, spectacle frames and metal buttons.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for electrolessly depositing and electrodepositing a CoMoP barrier coating onto copper or copper alloys to prevent copper diffusion when forming gold layers on articles such as watch bracelets, watch cases, imitation jewellery, spectacle frames, and metal buttons.

Abstract: High density and contrast range photographic grids for a moiré body scanner are made by a method including forming an image on a high density technical grade film, providing a recommended commercial developer chemical for said high density technical grade film, preparing a modified developer liquid from said recommended commercial developer chemical by increasing the pH and the contrast of developer reducing agent, and developing a black and white image using said modified developer liquid. The modified developer liquid also finds other applications.

Abstract: A single fabric testing apparatus is capable of measuring mechanical and thermal characteristic of a specimen previously carried out in separate testing apparatus. The single apparatus is provided with a plurality of mechanical and temperature sensors and a heatable top plate 10. In use, a ram 9 moves the top plate 10 vertical downwards to press a fabric specimen against a bottom plate 14. The plate 14 is surrounded by a fixed upstanding peripheral skirt 15 against which an outer periphery of the specimen is bent to enable shearing and bending characteristics to be measured. The bottom plate 14 is biassed upwards by a spring 16 which is compressed until the top plate is arrested by a fixed frame member 18. Further downward movement of the ram enables compressibility of the specimen to be determined. A rotatable section 11 of the top plate 10 can be turned by a stepping motor 13 to determine the surface friction characteristics of the specimen.

Abstract: Moisture management indexes are determined for a textile sandwiched between two plates. Electrical conductors arranged in concentric opposing pairs are used to measure changes in electrical resistance of the fabric. A quantity of water (or other chosen liquid) is poured down a guide pipe and changes of resistance measured against time. From this data, specific indexes are determined, in a repeatable fashion, and used for determining moisture management characteristics of the fabric.

Abstract: A portable ultrasound palpation device for measuring the Young's modulus and the thickness of a soft tissue layer includes a hand-holdable palpation probe having an ultrasonic transceiver connected in series with a load cell. During a test, the probe is placed on the tissue surface with a bony substratum. As the operator manually loads and unloads the probe on the tissue surface, a program embedded in a microprocessor module continuously causes the ultrasound emitter to emit ultrasound pulses into the soft tissue. The ultrasound echo signal reflected from the bony interface is received and its flight time is used by the program to calculate the original thickness and the deformation of the soft tissue. The corresponding load applied to the tissue is continuously recorded by the load cell, its driver, and amplifier module, and the data collection module.

Abstract: A novel recombinant Bacillus bacterial strain is constructed by genetic engineering which has high productivity of alpha-amylase. The Bacillus strain comprising an alpha-amylase gene inserted in the Bacillus chromosome under transcriptional control of a phage promoter. An efficient process for the rapid production of large amounts of alpha-amylase is also disclosed.

Abstract: OE yarn is passed through a drawing zone provided between a front roller and a back roller controlled to rotate at different velocities. An air jet nozzle is located between the two rollers and directs a jet of air at the yarn. The drawing causes improvements in various characteristics of the yarn making the processed yarn more suitable or useful for making up into textile articles.

Abstract: A method of treating a fabric including cellulose fiber to increase water absorption and hydrophilicity by graft polymerisation. The method includes pre-treating the fabric in a solution of an inhibitor for about one hour, and washing the fabric to remove excess inhibitor solution. The fabric is placed in a grafting solution of a hydrophilic monomer for about three hours, washed in methanol, and decrystallized in a solution of zinc chloride for about one hour. The decrystallised fabric is then treated in a solution of sodium hydroxide at 50° C. for about one hour.

Abstract: Composition of matter useful as an active mass of positive electrodes for a lead acid storage cell has an X-ray diffraction pattern substantially as shown in the. Figure. The matter is formed from lead-cadmium deposits using a methanesulfonic acid electrolyte system and pulse current.

Abstract: A tunable laser has a fibre Bragg grating anchored at each to relatively movable fixtures and an actuator coupled to the fixtures for creating relative movement that longitudinally stretches or compresses the fibre Bragg grating. Measuring means are arranged to directly monitor a longitudinal separation between the fixtures and a microprocessor that is programmed to respond to signals from the measuring means controls the actuator to change the separation between the fixtures to tune the laser to a desired wavelength.

Abstract: This invention provides a toy vehicle incorporating actuators made from a shape memory alloy material. These actuators may be in the form of a spring, wire or similar form that has a mechanical response upon the application or removal of heat. In particular, wires may be connected about hinges for doors, hoods, convertible roofs and other such items which, upon the application of heat to the wire of shape memory alloy, causes contraction of the wire and rotation about the hinged joint of the body part. As such shape memory alloy actuators are generally only operably in a single direction, they may be provided in pairs or in opposition to another biasing means to cause the opposed rotation about the joint when desired. The preferred source of heat to the shape memory alloy actuators is through the provision of electrical energy to the wire to create heat through the resistance of the shape memory alloy actuator itself.

Abstract: An electric power cable sheath cutter for longitudinally slicing an outer metallic sheath of a power cable include a frame arranged to be clamped by clamps to each end of a selected longitudinal section of the power cable. A carriage, slidingly mounted to the frame, has rollers that embrace an outer surface of the power cable so that the carriage “floats” on the cable in use. A milling tool with its drive motor is supported on the carriage and is adjustable up and down to enable a depth to be chosen. As a result, the sheath is cut through and inner strands of the power cable are not damaged. The effective depth of the remote end of the cutting tool is controlled by operation of a first motor 20, and the carriage is driven along in use the frame by a second motor so that the cutter can operate automatically without close manual supervision.

Abstract: A bonding tool has a driver of piezoelectric elements in a stack. A sensor is positioned and held in the stack and includes a piezoelectric element sandwiched between electrodes and insulating wafers. Voltage developed between the electrodes is monitored and used to determine a bonding parameter, including the amplitude and duration of each ultrasonic burst.

Abstract: A sensor for an ultrasonic bonding apparatus comprises a piezoelectric material located between the ultrasonic transducer and an ultrasonic concentrator of the bonding apparatus. The sensor has at least two outputs for measuring different bonding parameters, the outputs being chosen to optimize the signal response for the bonding parameters in question.