Abstract: A method for enhancing female sexual response in which topically administered to the clitoris of the female subject and the surrounding tissue is a pharmaceutically-acceptable composition whose primary agent is a vasodilator, such as prostaglandin and whose secondary agent is a carrier therefor to deliver it to the clitoris and the surrounding tissue so that it is retained thereby.

Abstract: A technique for degrading a chemical warfare poison gas to render it innocuous. The toxic compound to be so treated is conducted through a reactor containing an anhydrous liquid halide which acts as a catalyst to degrade the toxic compound without yielding toxic effluents. The liquid halide is reclaimed and reintroduced into the reactor whereas the benign breakdown by-products are routed to other uses.

Abstract: An iron-free transformer in which electrical energy is transferred from a primary winding to a secondary winding without any electrical connection or inductive coupling therebetween. The transformer includes an iron-free conductive closed loop having input and output sections. Coiled about the input section to form the primary winding is a solenoidal flux tube whose ends are the input terminals of the transformer. Coiled about the output section is a solenoidal flux tube whose ends are the output terminals of the transformer. When the input terminals are connected to an alternating current source, the lines of flux in the electromagnetic field created by the primary flux tube winding do not intercept the secondary flux tube winding, but induce alternating current in the input section which is continuously circulated in the loop and flows through the output section thereof.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a high-temperature ceramic superconductor having a Y-Ba-Cu-O or other copper-oxide composition of comparable properties so as to render the ceramic porous to define interlaced diffusion channels throughout the entire body of the ceramic. As a consequence, oxygen, an essential component thereof, will in the course of firing the ceramic, diffuse throughout the interior of the body and thereby interact and become integrated with the crystal structure of the ceramic to form a superconductor having superior properties. The resultant porous ceramic body may be used as a superconductive device, or it may be ground into particles and dispersed as a filler in a binder acting as a plastic agent that can be extruded, molded, or otherwise shaped to create a Meisner-effect shield, a cylindrical superconductive bearing or other superconductive structure.

Abstract: Lysosomal enzymes and superoxide radicals (O.sub.2.sup.-) are potent mediators of rheumatoid inflammation. It is known that gold sodium thiosulphate (GTS), an injectable gold compound, inhibits lysosomal enzymes activity without however affecting its release, whereas auranofin (AF), an oral gold compound, inhibits such release but not enzyme activity. And while AF inhibits the generation of O.sub.2.sup.-, GTS is without significant effect. It has been discovered, using O.sub.2.sup.- production as an indicator of respiratory burst, that subtherapeutic concentrations of the oral gold having only partial inhibitory activity on O.sub.2.sup.- production, give rise to greatly enhanced inhibitory activity in such production when the oral gold is functionally combined with the otherwise inactive injectable gold. The effect of this combination of drugs is synergistic in that it far exceeds the sum of the individual inhibitory activities of the oral and injectable gold compounds. A further increase in O.sub.2.sup.

Abstract: A physiological pressure measuring system usable in conjunction with an intravascular infusion line leading to a patient whose pressure is to be monitored. The system includes a detector having a transparent chamber interposed in the line and a flexible bulb mounted therein whose exterior is subjected to the fluid pressure in the chamber, the bulb interior communicating with a flexible pipe terminating in a hollow plug vented to the atmosphere whereby the bulb is caused to collapse when the infusion fluid pressure which reflects the physiologial pressure is greater than atmospheric. Associated with the detector is a fluid pressure transducer yielding a signal as a function of the applied pressure, the transducer input port being in the form of a tubular jack adapted to telescopically receive the plug. When the plug is inserted in the jack, a seal is effected to create a closed air column which exerts pressure on the transducer.

Abstract: An enhanced grease usable with high-speed bearings and in other applications involving severe operating conditions where standard greases normally give rise to overheating, excessive wear and failure of the parts being lubricated within a relatively short operating period. The enhanced grease has two major components--the first being a hybrid lubricant constituted by a stable suspension of sub-micronic PTFE particles in an oil carrier; the second component acting as a gelling agent for the first component and being in the form of a standard grease composed of a thickener dispersed in a lubricating oil. The ratio, by volume, of the two components is such that the resultant semi-solid gel has thixotropic properties and exceptional lubricating characteristics.

Abstract: A manifold valve assembly for selectively interconnecting a row of ports to control the flow of fluid in a group of lines coupled thereto. The assembly includes a valve block having a like row of cylinders formed therein which communicate at their lower ends with the row of ports. The upper ends of the cylinders are interconnected, whereby fluid admitted into any one cylinder flows into the other cylinders in the row. Supported coaxially within the cylinders is a corresponding row of expandable tubular nipples, the ends of the nipples in their unexpanded state reaching a first point. Projecting into the nipples are a group of push-button actuated rods. Each rod, when pushed in by its associated button causes the nipple to expand to reach a second point in the cylinder.

Abstract: A solar energy air-heating system readily installable on the exterior wall of a residence or other building, the system including a module constituted by a slab of rigid foam plastic thermal insulation material whose upper face is covered by a fibrous mat having a blackened surface to absorb solar energy. Each edge of the slab is secured to a molding also adapted to receive the corresponding edge of a flexible transparent panel whose width is greater than that of the slab, so that when the panel is bridged between the edge moldings, it forms an arched dome over the slab. By attaching a series of such modules in end-to-end relation vertically along the wall of the building, an air duct is created whose lower end is then coupled by an inlet fixture to a lower zone in the interior of the building and whose upper end is coupled by an outlet fixture to an upper zone in the interior, a flow loop being thereby formed between the duct and the interior.

Abstract: A modified halocarbon oil composition suitable for use as a lubricant or hydraulic fluid in those applications in which conventional hydrocarbon oils constitute a fire hazard or a contaminant because of their reactive properties. The composition is formed by a chemically inert halocarbon oil having intermingled therewith an oil soluble organic molybdenum compound in an amount sufficient to afford to the composition exceptional low friction characteristics.

Abstract: A hybrid lubricant in which microfine PTFE particles are uniformly dispersed in an oil carrier that includes a small but effective amount of an oil-soluble organic molybdenum compound, the hybrid lubricant being diluted with a major amount of a conventional lubricating oil. In operation, a thin film of the molybdenum compound is developed on the rubbing metal surfaces of the lubricated engine, the film reacting in the high-temperature, high-pressure environment of the rubbing surfaces to form a fluoride to which the PTFE particles bond to impart thereto an extremely low coefficient of friction to afford the benefits of both solid and fluid lubrication. The hybrid lubricant minimizes friction under all operating conditions regardless of their severity, and it reduces wear on the engine.

Abstract: A lubricant especially adapted to meet the requirements of firearms, the lubricant being constituted by a dispersion of microfine PTFE particles in an oil carrier diluted with a major amount of synthetic lubricant having a low viscosity and a high viscosity index, whereby the resultant hybrid lubricant not only reduces wear and friction, but also affords a protective coating for the treated metal surfaces which resists the adhesion thereto of grime, powder, lead and all other contaminants that otherwise make it necessary to frequently clean the weapon to maintain it in proper working order.

Abstract: A process for converting wood stock or other cellulosic material into charcoal, use being made for this purpose of liquid anhydrous hydrogen chloride at ambient temperatures.

Abstract: A halocarbon oil composition suitable for use as a hydraulic fluid and lubricant in those applications in which hydrocarbon oils constitute a fire hazard or a contaminant because of their reactive properties. The composition is formed by a chemically-inert halocarbon oil having PTFE solid lubricant particles dispersed therein, the particles being in the micron range. Also included is a fluorochemical surfactant having foam-producing properties in an amount insufficient to generate foam in the context of the inherent non-foaming characteristics of the particles, the surfactant acting to enhance the lubricity of the oil and to stabilize the PTFE dispersion therein.

Abstract: A hybrid lubricant in which a colloidal dispersion of solid lubricant particles (PTFE) is uniformly dispersed in a fluid lubricant carrier that includes a small but effective amount of a nonionic fluorochemical surfactant acting to stabilize the dispersion. When the hybrid lubricant is diluted with a major amount of a conventional fluid lubricant, it functions in the environment of rubbing surfaces to afford the benefit of both solid and fluid lubrication, thereby minimizing friction under all operating conditions regardless of their severity.

Abstract: A method for effecting saccharification of raw cellulosic material taken from any available source. The cellulosic material is hydrolyzed by immersing it in a bath of anhydrous liquid hydrogen chloride to yield usable glucose and other products. The cellulosic material may be processed through one or more pre-treatment steps, each acting to enhance the yield of glucose and other products when the pre-treated material is subjected to hydrolyzation by anhydrous liquid hydrogen chloride. The raw material may first be immersed in a caustic solution which swells the cellular structure to render it more reactive and acts to solubilize the lignins and other compounds contained therein, these being washed away to provide a prepared cellulosic material.

Abstract: A manifold valve assembly for selectively interconnecting a row of ports to control the flow of fluid in the lines coupled thereto. The assembly includes a valve block in whose upper face is formed a shallow well. Extending from the well to a plane parallel to the lower face of the block is a row of cylinders whose lower ends define valve seats that communicate with ports projecting from the lower face. A channel indented in the well serves to laterally interconnect the mouths of the cylinders with each other. Seated in the well and sealing the mouths of the cylinders is a pad of elastomeric material from which is projected a row of hollow, axially-expandable nipples that extend into and are coaxially disposed within the cylinders, the nipples all having a normal length that falls short of the valve seats. Mounted above the valve block is an actuator block having a row of tubes therein in axial alignment with the cylinders. Supported in each tube is the retractable push rod of a spring-biased click mechanism.

Abstract: A method for effecting saccharification of raw cellulosic material taken from any available source. In the first step, the raw material is immersed in a caustic solution which swells the cellular structure to render it more reactive and acts to solubilize the lignins and other compounds contained therein, these being washed away to provide a prepared cellulosic material. In the second step, the prepared material is subjected to a viscose process to produce a viscous solution of sodium cellulose xanthate in sodium hydroxide, from which solution the aqueous phase is separated to provide a viscose intermediate. In the final step, the viscose intermediate is hydrolyzed by immersing it in a bath of anhydrous liquid hydrogen chloride to yield usable glucose and other products.

Abstract: A lubricating oil containing polytetrafluoroethylene particles and a fluorochemical surfactant which stabilizes the dispersion and creates a molecular surface tension skin on the surface of the oil to reduce volatilization losses during use in an internal combustion engine.

Abstract: A toy, game or other play device wherein a trackway, slide, maze or other play surface is coated with superhydrophobic material that is highly water repellent, whereby a drop of water applied thereto forms into a ball that can then be manipulated by a player to carry out predetermined play activities. Alternatively, a tiny vehicle or other toy body having a hydrophilic coating thereon may be wetted with water and placed on the super-hydrophobic surface whereby the slightest force applied thereto causes the body to skim at high speed over the surface. The toy body may be in the shape of an arrow which can be caused to move along the playing surface, when tilted, and come to rest at a particular number, word or symbol provided on the playing surface.