Abstract: An apparatus and method for measuring thermophysical property value of a specimen. The apparatus includes a heating laser and probe laser for measuring at least one characteristic on the surface of the specimen. A detector detects the reflected probe laser beam, and a computer calculates the thermophysical property value of the specimen based on the reflected probe laser beam.

Abstract: Novel methods and dental compositions for treating dental structures, such as teeth and subgingival structures, are disclosed. Uniquely, the dental compositions contain metal complexes which are characterized as having a unique aqueous proton induced dissociation property represented by a sigmoidally-shaped curve on a cartesian coordinate plot of the negative log of the metal ion concentration versus the negative log of the hydrogen ion concentration. This unique dissociation property enables the metal complexes to release therapeutic metal ions in the oral cavity for forming metal coordination complexes or salts within the dental structures. The formation of such complexes or salts within the dental structures is particularly effective and highly resistant to enzymatic degradation associated with microbial activity. Also, the metal ions of this invention are highly effective in inactivating the enzyme secreted by microbes in the oral cavity to further attenuate the disintegration process.

Abstract: A method of treating inflammation or arthritis with metal complexes that can traverse skin and animal cell membranes intact and effectively deliver and release metal ions in a controlled manner upon demand at the targeted inflammatory or arthritic areas containing endogenous reacting moieties which demand the metal ions. The metal complexes have an aqueous proton induced dissociation property represented by a sigmoidally-shaped curve on a cartesian coordinate plot of the negative log of the metal ion concentration versus the negative log of hydrogen ion concentration. This dissociation property enables the metal complexes to release metal ions in a controlled manner upon demand at the targeted inflammatory or arthritic areas containing endogenous reacting moieties which demand the metal ions. The metal complexes can be effectively administered either topically or subcutaneously.

Abstract: Novel methods and dental compositions for treating dental structures, such as teeth and subgingival structures, are disclosed. Uniquely, the dental compositions contain metal complexes which are characterized as having an unique aqueous proton induced dissociation property represented by a sigmoidally-shaped curve on a cartesian coordinate plot of the negative log of the metal ion concentration versus the negative log of the hydrogen ion concentration. This unique dissociation property enables the metal complexes to release therapeutic metal ions in the oral cavity for forming metal coordination complexes or salts within the dental structures. The formation of such complexes or salts within the dental structures is particularly effective and highly resistant to enzymatic degradation associated with microbial activity. Also, the metal ions of this invention are highly effective in inactivating the enzymes secreted by microbes in the oral cavity to further attenuate the disintegration process.

Abstract: A method of making an organic metal salt or complex is disclosed by reacting a heavy metal hydroxide with an organic Lewis acid or salt thereof in the presence of a gaseous catalyst such as a form of CO.sub.2. The reaction may be controlled by the addition of a buffering agent. Other gaseous catalysts such as CO and SO.sub.2 or their related salts, can be employed. The method produces organic metal complexes or salts in a pure second salt-free state either in a solution or solid state.

Abstract: A method of transporting metal ions by introducing a metal complex into a medium containing a moiety which demands the metal ion and the complex releases the ions in a controlled manner upon demand. The metal complexes have an aqueous proton induced dissociation property represented by a sigmoidally-shaped curve on a cartesian coordinate plot of the negative log of the metal ion concentration versus the negative log of hydrogen ion concentration. This dissociation property causes a controlled release of metal ion into mediums containing a reacting moiety upon demand for the metal ion. For example, metalworking emulsions of oil and water are stabilized by the addition thereto of minor amounts of a metal complex, e.g., disodium monocopper(II) citrate, which at alkaline pH metalworking conditions above about 7 to about 9 releases metal cations to the emulsions imparting stabilizing characteristics which prevent emulsion degradation by a number of factors commonly encountered in metalworking operations.

Abstract: Stabilized metalworking fluid compositions are disclosed comprising an oil and water dispersion and, as a stabilizer therefor, a metal complex of a metal ion and a polyfunctional organic ligand. The metal complexes have an aqueous proton induced dissociation property represented by a sigmoidally-shaped curve on a cartesian coordinate plot of the negative log of the metal ion concentration versus the negative log of hydrogen ion concentration. This dissociation property causes a controlled release of metal ion into the oil and water dispersion to impart metal working stability to the dispersion. Metal working emulsions of oil and water are stabilized by the addition thereto of minor amounts of a metal complex, e.g., disodium monocopper(II) citrate, which at alkaline pH metalworking conditions above about 7 to about 9 releases metal cations to the emulsions imparting stabilizing characteristics which prevent emulsion degradation by a number of factors commonly encountered in metalworking operations.

Abstract: Antimicrobial agents are disclosed containing as the active ingredient a metal complex of a metal ion and a polyfunctional organic ligand. The antimicrobial metal complexes are characterized by a very unexpected aqueous proton induced dissociation property which causes the controlled release of toxic metal ion at a pH compatible with microorganism growth. This dissociation property is represented by a sigmoidally shaped curve, i.e., one curved in two different directions like the letter "S," on a cartesian coordinate plot of the negative logarithm (log) of metal ion concentration versus the negative logarithm (log) of hydrogen ion concentration (or otherwise known as a pM-pH diagram). Antimicrobial metal complexes are also disclosed which are extremely effective in the controlled release of metal ion from the complex in about the normal range of physiological pH, i.e., about 10.sup.- 4 to 10.sup.-9 moles of hydrogen ion per liter.