Abstract: A machine for cyclically applying a force to material specimens for testing the fatigue properties thereof. The specimens are positioned between two members, at least one of which moves angularly in a wobble type of action in a cyclic operation. Enclosure members enclose any suitable desired fluid within which the test specimens are tested.

Abstract: Fire-resistant organic materials including foams, are made by heating at temperatures sufficient to cause polymerization and elimination of nitrogen and sulfur precursor aromatic polymers having sulfonamide linkages and aromatic compounds capable of forming said polymers, e.g. sulfamyl-type aminoaromatic compounds such as sulfanilamide, sulfaguanadine and the like. Preferred compounds are those providing para linkages in the sulfonamide polymer chain, those which are substantially free of oxidizing substituents, for example nitro groups, and those which are not fused-ring aromatic. Preferred foams are the high expansion foams, i.e. those having expansion ratios of at least about 3:1, more preferably at least about 8:1. The precursors of these fire-resistant organic materials can be incorporated into polymers such as polyvinylidene chloride, polyisocyanates, aminoplasts, and the like either physically by mixing or by chemical reaction to give improved fire-resistance.

Abstract: The invention is a process for making porous amine/aldehyde structures or powders comprising solid approximately-spherical cross-linked particles of less than 10 microns, said process comprising electrolyzing aqueous solutions of urea-formaldehyde prepolymer, melamine-formaldehyde prepolymer or mixtures thereof under electrolysis conditions sufficient to initiate condensation polymerization and formation of said structures or powders. The structures are all broadly designated as open pore urea-formaldehyde structures (OPUF) even though, of course, the ones made from melamine and formaldehyde without urea will have no urea in them. If the reactor is stirred during polymerization powders consisting of primary spherical particles and small porous agglomerates, are formed.

Abstract: The invention relates to radiation sources comprising a substrate having an electrically-conductive non-radioactive metal surface, a layer of a metal radioactive isotope of the Scandium group, which in addition to scandium, yttrium, lanthanum and actinium, includes all the lanthanide and actinide series of elements, with the actinide series usually being preferred because of the nature of the radioactive isotopes therein, particularly americium-241, curium-244, plutonium-238, californium-252 and promethium-147, and a non-radioactive bonding metal codeposited on the surface by electroplating the isotope and bonding metal from an electrolytic solution, the isotope being present in the layer in minor amount as compared to the bonding metal, and with or without a non-radioactive protective metal coating covering the isotype and bonding metal on the surface, the coating being sufficiently thin to permit radiation to pass through the coating.

Abstract: A solar energy collector is described which consists of either a photoelectric cell or a heat-absorbing material mounted within a hollow concentrator. The photoelectric cell has the form of a rod of a monocrystalline element or compound with a generally cylindrical junction spaced at a distance radially inwardly from the outer surface of the rod. The photoelectric cell is mounted within a hollow transparent trough shaped concentrator or body which contains a liquid, e.g. water, which can be made to flow in order to both cool the photoelectric cell, thereby improving its efficiency, and to promote transmission of solar energy to the photoelectric cell by total internal reflectance.

Abstract: The invention relates to transparent or optically clear laminates and adhesive films used to make these laminates having a temperature utility range far greater than those previously developed and which are especially useful for windshields of high speed aircraft which need such a broad temperature range. These transparent adhesive films have a temperature utility in the range of -65.degree. F to at least 350.degree. F in laminates and comprise an ethylene/vinyl acetate copolymer having a vinyl acetate content in the range of 40% to 60%, the copolymer being partially hydrolyzed to form a terpolymer having a hydroxyl content in the range of 1% to 6%, the terpolymer in film form and/or laminate being heat treated and cross-linked to give the adhesive film. The laminates are made from transparent layers of glass and/or plastic bound together with the transparent adhesive film.

Abstract: A polyester resin composition having improved neutron shielding properties can be made by mixing a condensation product of maleic anhydride, phthalic anhydride and polyethylene glycol dissolved in styrene, with at least a sufficient amount of pelleted polyethylene to substantially increase the neutron shielding properties of said condensation product, and a sufficient amount of curing agent such as benzoyl peroxide and N,N-dimethylaniline to promote the curing of the mixture to a solid product. The polyethylene having a relatively high hydrogen content reduces the energy of the neutrons. A powdered boron compound such as boric acid and/or a lithium compound can be incorporated in the composition in amounts at least sufficient to effect substantial thermal neutron capture. Cadmium can be incorporated into the composition being much more efficient at neutron capture than boron or lithium, but then provision must be made for stopping the capture gamma rays generated.

Abstract: Large void-free castings of polyethylene can be made by blending high density polyethylene pellets with low density polyethylene powder, followed by heating to above the melting point of the low density polyethylene and below, or only slightly above, the melting point of the high density polyethylene. Flame proofing additives, crosslinking agents and other materials can be readily incorporated into the blend before fusing. The mixture of high density and low density polyethylene significantly reduces the amount of shrinkage which takes place during the cooling from the melting temperature to ambient temperature. The low density polyethylene should have a sufficiently low melt viscosity so that it will flow under small pressures above the melting temperature.

Abstract: A coated waveguide holder-humidifier to supply moisture in the case of moisture-sensitive reactions in order that quantitative results might be obtained with a gradient light analytical detector which will quantitatively measure atmospheric contaminants by comparing changes in light transmission through the coated waveguides before and after exposure. The coated waveguide holder-humidifier comprises a container, a porous material capable of absorbing water and desorbing water vapor mounted within the container, means to hold one or more waveguides within the container, and one or more openings in the container to allow fluid (liquid or gas) sample to contact a waveguide.

Abstract: In a process for data signal recording in which a recording medium is impinged upon by an intensity-modulated, focused laser beam to form a hole in at least one layer of the recording medium, the improvement wherein at least one layer of the recording medium comprises a polymer capable of undergoing residue-free depolymerization and the laser beam is of sufficient intensity to effect said depolymerization.

Abstract: The process embodying the discovery of the effects of large lime dosages on sewage sludge character consists of: adding lime to raw, sanitary sewage in amounts to exceed a 1:1 weight ratio of lime to COD, or at least 500 ppm lime; immediately treating with carbon dioxide to reduce the pH of the limed sewage mixture to about pH 11; providing a brief period for settling of sludge from the aqueous phase; further adjustment of effluent pH with carbon dioxode to a pH below about 8; discharge of treated effluent water; burning of the sludge to incinerate the organic matter and calcine the calcium carbonate to lime for reuse in the process. This process permits treatment of sanitary sewage in about 30 minutes total as compared to several hours, e.g., 4-8 hours, for other methods of sewage treatment.

Abstract: In a process for rapidly producing a substantially uniform, elongated, cellular thermoplastic article comprising rapidly discharging from a vessel a pressurized gel of a solid thermoplastic amorphous polymer and a gaseous solvent in an amount in the range of from about 25-100% by weight of said polymer, said solvent being capable of forming a flowable gel with the polymer when subjected to superatomospheric pressure, the improvement for shaping the article comprising restraining sufficiently the speed of flow of the gel from the vessel through a die to form the desired shaped article with the gel at ambient temperature in said vessel.

Abstract: The new product, a Cl.sub.3 P=N-N=PCl.sub.3 + NH.sub.3 reaction product, has been found to be an excellent flame-retardant for material made from cellulose such as cotton, paper and sponge; polyester, wool and blends thereof. Conveniently the material can be treated with an aqueous solution containing a sufficient amount of the product and the material dried to make the material self-extinguishing. Then the treated and dried material is cured at a sufficient temperature to bond the product to the material. Alternatively, and usually preferably, the drying and curing can be accomplished as a single operation.

Abstract: A device for detecting a first material comprising (a) a waveguide having on a peripheral surface of the waveguide a second material which on contacting the first material selectively combines with the first material to measurably change the light transmitting capabilities of the waveguide, (b) a light source positioned to transmit light into the waveguide, and (c) means for measuring the light exiting from the waveguide. The waveguide described in the previous sentence is a new article of manufacture.

Abstract: A device for detecting organic vapors comprising (a) an elongated waveguide having on the surface thereof a sufficient amount of liquid crystal material sensitive to organic vapor to measurably change the light transmitting capability of said waveguide upon contacting said waveguide with said vapor, (b) a light source positioned to transmit light lengthwise through said waveguide, and (c) means for measuring the light exiting from said waveguide. The device is useful in a method for measuring organic vapors comprising the steps of (a) exposing said waveguide to a gas which may contain organic vapor to which said liquid crystals are sensitive, and (b) transmitting light through said waveguide, and (c) detecting the light transmitted in step (b) as a measure of said organic vapor. Waveguides of the device are separately claimed as a subcombination.

Abstract: Flame retardant protection has been demonstrated on cotton and on polyester-cotton materials by the product obtained from the reaction of cyanamide and PCl.sub.5 followed by reaction with anhydrous ammonia in excess of that required to react with the chlorine on the cyanamide and PCl.sub.5 intermediate product. Conveniently the material can be treated with an aqueous solution containing a sufficient amount of the new flame retardant compound and the material dried to make the material self extinguishing. Then the treated and dried material is cured at a sufficient temperature to bond the flame retardant to the material. Alternatively and usually preferably, the drying and curing can be accomplished as a single operation.

Abstract: This invention is a coated waveguide holder-humdifier which is used to supply moisture in the case of moisture sensitive reactions in order that quantitative results might be obtained with a gradient light analytical detector which will quantitatively measure atmospheric contaminants by comparing changes in light transmission through the coated waveguides before and after exposure. The coated waveguide holder-humidifier comprises a container, a porous material capable of absorbing water and desorbing water vapor mounted within the container, means to hold one or more waveguides within the container, and one or more openings in the container to allow fluid (liquid or gas) sample to contact a waveguide.

Abstract: Mixtures comprising compounds of the formula ##STR1## wherein A is either NH.sub.2 or N=P(NH.sub.2).sub.3, provided at least one A is N=P(NH.sub.2).sub.3, have been found to be good flame-retardants for material made from cotton or polyester-cotton having about 30 to 70% by weight cotton. Conveniently the material can be treated with an aqueous solution containing a sufficient amount of said mixtures and the material dried to make the material self extinguishing. Then the treated and dried material is cured at a sufficient temperature to bond said compounds to the material. Alternatively and usually preferably the drying and curing can be accomplished as a single operation. The treatment solution can additionally contain auxiliary treatment agents to make the material more durable to washing.

Abstract: Polycrystalline silicon films useful in preparing solar cells primarily for terrestrial application are prepared by a plasma spraying process. A doped silicon powder is injected into a high temperature ionized gas (plasma) to become molten and to be sprayed onto a low-cost substrate. Upon cooling, a dense polycrystalline silicon film is obtained. A p-n junction is formed on the sprayed film by spray deposition, diffusion or ion implantation. A sprayed junction is produced by plasma spraying a thin layer of silicon of opposite polarity or type over the initially deposited doped film. In forming a diffused junction, dopant is applied over the surface of the initial plasma-sprayed film usually from the vapor phase and heat is used to cause the dopant to diffuse into the film to form a shallow layer of opposite polarity to that in the original film. A junction is also formed by implanting dopant ions in the surface of the originally deposited film by the use of electrical fields.

Abstract: Flame retardant protection has been demonstrated on cotton and on polyester-cotton materials by the product obtained from the reaction of cyanamide and PCl.sub.5 followed by reaction with anhydrous ammonia in excess of that required to react with the chlorine on the cyanamide and PCl.sub.5 intermediate product. Conveniently the material can be treated with an aqueous solution containing a sufficient amount of the new flame retardant compound and the material dried to make the material self extinguishing. Then the treated and dried material is cured at a sufficient temperature to bond the flame retardant to the material. Alternatively and usually preferably, the drying and curing can be accomplished as a single operation.